European Champions Cup [Most Improved]

[brenno]

Very difficult to see anything but a home win for all the quarterfinalists.
The Racing v Toulouse being the one that's most up for grabs.

Bookies have Munster beating Edinburgh away

[blockhead]

Just something I did during my lunch break.
2018/19 Pool stage record of teams from the Guinness PRO14 against non-PRO14 opponents

Wins: 22
Draws: 1
Losses: 11
Win ratio: 64.7%

2016-19 Pool stage record of teams from the Guinness PRO14 against non-PRO14 opponents

Wins: 57
Draws: 5
Losses: 40
Win ratio: 55.88%

[Xanthippe]

The wonderous Prem lost 6 out of 7 games this weekend. Apart from Saracens, the pool tables make bleek reading for the English sides. I'm sure they'll have plenty of scapegoats.
Saracens however have to be favourites now, easy home QF (sorry Kermi), Munster or Edinburgh in a semi in England and then a final in England.
If they win it will be 3 titles in 4 years, the dominant team of this era, no arguments about that.

If Leinster get to the Final and win it I think we can also claim to be the dominant team of the era with five titles in ten years. (I am not sure how many players would have all five medals. Possibly only: Healy, Sexton, O'Brien and Kearney). There is, however, a lot of rugby to be played between now and the final with the potential for injuries in the 6Ns affecting all the clubs involved in the QFs.

The only players with all four medals so far are Healy, Sexton and Toner and all three also have a Challenge Cup medal too. Rob Kearney had mumps and didn’t play in the 10/11 final and ridiculously the ERC don’t credit you as a champion unless you’re in the match day 23.

[rooster]

We like being bottom of the list, no pressure, no expectations, just head out and play rugby.

[Lar]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere. I generally take anything Neil Francis writes with an extremely large handful of salt, but the Indo does credit a solicitor for having been consulted on the views expressed in the article, and seemingly endorsing them.

Why Champions Cup knockout stage may be turned on its head by Brexit chaos

I guess we will see what happens on March 14 and whether any teams change their squads for the knock out stages.

Or alternatively and possibly increasingly more likely, Atricle 50 will be extended with the agreement of the 27 and the issue will put off for a time.

[The Doc]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere. I generally take anything Neil Francis writes with an extremely large handful of salt, but the Indo does credit a solicitor for having been consulted on the views expressed in the article, and seemingly endorsing them.

Why Champions Cup knockout stage may be turned on its head by Brexit chaos

I guess we will see what happens on March 14 and whether any teams change their squads for the knock out stages.

Or alternatively and possibly increasingly more likely, Atricle 50 will be extended with the agreement of the 27 and the issue will put off for a time.

I'm not registering for the Indo - and particularly not to read Francis.

[Lar]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere. I generally take anything Neil Francis writes with an extremely large handful of salt, but the Indo does credit a solicitor for having been consulted on the views expressed in the article, and seemingly endorsing them.

Why Champions Cup knockout stage may be turned on its head by Brexit chaos

I guess we will see what happens on March 14 and whether any teams change their squads for the knock out stages.

Or alternatively and possibly increasingly more likely, Atricle 50 will be extended with the agreement of the 27 and the issue will put off for a time.

I'm not registering for the Indo - and particularly not to read Francis.

Francis is rarely right but can occasionally pen something half interesting. For what it is worth this article is quite technical about the qualification of currently qualified kolpak players post 29 March and a no deal Brexit (which is beginning to look less likely). It suggests they won't be able to play for UK registred clubs and that those clubs may have to consider squad changes prior to the final deadline for the knock out stages on March 14.

[johng]

You have to register for the Indo? Jaysis. When did that happen?

[Oldschool]

A simple "once you've qualified" it becomes personal to holder amendment, problem solved.

[R-Dog]

Francis probably has a point here but in practice it will effect very little.

Sarries for example only had 2 SA and 1 Oz so have to drop 1.

Long shot but you never know the ERC might amend the rules in some way that ignores the requirement (Could actually benefit us too!)

[FLIP]

Why wouldn't the ERC simply change the rules of their own competition to avoid such complications?

[Lar]

Francis probably has a point here but in practice it will effect very little.

Sarries for example only had 2 SA and 1 Oz so have to drop 1.

Long shot but you never know the ERC might amend the rules in some way that ignores the requirement (Could actually benefit us too!)

An Aussie player is outside kolpak already so no different.

As I say Francis is rarely right but his article suggests that Saracens have sevem players registered in their squad who rely on the kolpak ruling for their qualified european status.

[johng]

Why wouldn't the ERC simply change the rules of their own competition to avoid such complications?

Ah if only there was still an ERC.

[R-Dog]

Francis probably has a point here but in practice it will effect very little.

Sarries for example only had 2 SA and 1 Oz so have to drop 1.

Long shot but you never know the ERC might amend the rules in some way that ignores the requirement (Could actually benefit us too!)

An Aussie player is outside kolpak already so no different.

As I say Francis is rarely right but his article suggests that Saracens have sevem players registered in their squad who rely on the kolpak ruling for their qualified european status.

I realise that. My point is that if brexit results in Kolpak being void in the uk Sarries would have to pick 2/3 for example in their last match day 23. Not hughly effecting their overall strength. Similar to how the 3 lads effect us. Its a hindrance but not a huge deal.

[The Doc]

You have to register for the Indo? Jaysis. When did that happen?

Recently - not sure when exactly. I'm not giving them any data

[The Doc]

You have to register for the Indo? Jaysis. When did that happen?

Recently - not sure when exactly. I'm not giving them any data

Might just be on mobile?

[johng]

No. On desktop too.

I have their app on android. No registering that I can remember. Never got an email from them so mustn't have. Works fine. Don't read newspapers at all. Never have really. Went through a fad of the IT back in the 80s.

[Xanthippe]

So you have a choice - you can register for the Indo to read Franno’s lifted article or you can read Alex Shaw’s original here https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-huge ... g-about-it

[blockhead]

31 Leinster guys involved yesterday among the 3 teams.
Some province for one province.

[desperado]

Huge decision. Not a red for me.