Confirmed: European Cup ruined.

[sockwithaticket]

Assuming they hit the qualifying positions in the PRO - whatever the fuck it is now in the 21/22 season, South African teams will be able to compete in 22/23.

So it's no longer a European competition and there'll be games with 0 away fans.

Boo and indeed hiss. This combined with letting in the Top 8 from each league (when often some of the Top 6 aren't up to it) massively devalues the competition. Looks like the admins learnt nothing from the fuckery of meddling with Super Rugby...

[assfly]

Jeez, that's a funny way of saying "welcome, Saffers"

[weegie01]

I rarely post on here but as a counter point to the OP, here is what I posted on PR.

I was always opposed to the expansion of the Pro12, but actually think they have ended up with something that could be very exciting. I am not delighted with the structure, but with 16 teams it is probably as good as it will get. It also reduces travel and costs.

I can't wait to see the Sharks coming from a 35 degree C, humid Durban to play in Edinburgh on a cold, wet night in January.

I like it and am keen to see how it turns out.

In addition, I think it will be good for the Heineken. Bringing in more strong teams raises the bar. There are enough Saffas in the UK let alone anywhere else to give the SA teams strong support.

[Globus]

I rarely post on here but as a counter point to the OP, here is what I posted on PR.

I was always opposed to the expansion of the Pro12, but actually think they have ended up with something that could be very exciting. I am not delighted with the structure, but with 16 teams it is probably as good as it will get. It also reduces travel and costs.

I can't wait to see the Sharks coming from a 35 degree C, humid Durban to play in Edinburgh on a cold, wet night in January.

I like it and am keen to see how it turns out.

In addition, I think it will be good for the Heineken. Bringing in more strong teams raises the bar. There are enough Saffas in the UK let alone anywhere else to give the SA teams strong support.

Reckon so. When we went to a pub in Earlsfield the Saffas were all over the place.

[Paddington Bear]

Tournament has been poor for a while. Knock it on the head and have a UK&I league I reckon

[laurent]

Tournament has been poor for a while. Knock it on the head and have a UK&I league I reckon

They don't want you...

PS Stupid having the Safa in the European cup.

some clubs struggle enough with travel budget as it is

[Paddington Bear]

Tournament has been poor for a while. Knock it on the head and have a UK&I league I reckon

They don't want you...

PS Stupid having the Safa in the European cup.

some clubs struggle enough with travel budget as it is

If they don't then I wouldn't mind just playing the Prem and having fewer games

[laurent]

Tournament has been poor for a while. Knock it on the head and have a UK&I league I reckon

They don't want you...

PS Stupid having the Safa in the European cup.

some clubs struggle enough with travel budget as it is

If they don't then I wouldn't mind just playing the Prem and having fewer games

The european cup and the top 14 is even longer

the season is so long that early long term injuries manage to make the final stages :s

I'd rather they cut some pool games in Euro and get rid of the barrage in top 14
instead they just add more then the unions do the same.

[Tichtheid]

I, for one, welcome our new Saffa overlords.

...and to the Heineken Cup too, the potential fixtures are mouth-watering.

[sockwithaticket]

I rarely post on here but as a counter point to the OP, here is what I posted on PR.

I was always opposed to the expansion of the Pro12, but actually think they have ended up with something that could be very exciting. I am not delighted with the structure, but with 16 teams it is probably as good as it will get. It also reduces travel and costs.

I can't wait to see the Sharks coming from a 35 degree C, humid Durban to play in Edinburgh on a cold, wet night in January.

I like it and am keen to see how it turns out.

In addition, I think it will be good for the Heineken. Bringing in more strong teams raises the bar. There are enough Saffas in the UK let alone anywhere else to give the SA teams strong support.

I have 0 problem with them takin part in the PRO, just don't think they fit in Europe. Competition identity is important.

While there are enough expats to lend some support when Saffas come up to the northern hemisphere, it's not the same going to the other way.

[SaintK]

I have 0 problem with them takin part in the PRO, just don't think they fit in Europe. Competition identity is important.

Yep, agree 100%.
It has not been formally agreed and signed off by EPCR yet. Thou I should imagine that money talks

[Hal Jordan]

Precursor to the Seven Nations?

[assfly]

We bring a lot of South African tv money. I mean, a LOT. Even more than the Welsh.

[Biffer]

We bring a lot of South African tv money. I mean, a LOT. Even more than the Welsh.

Don't be ridiculous. More than the Welsh, pah.

[assfly]

Seven Nations has a nice sound to it.

[sockwithaticket]

Don't you go there. Contemplating the desecration of two competitions at the same time could give me a case of the vapours.

[Tichtheid]

I have 0 problem with them takin part in the PRO, just don't think they fit in Europe. Competition identity is important.

Yep, agree 100%.
It has not been formally agreed and signed off by EPCR yet. Thou I should imagine that money talks

May I ask what the difference is?

The Pro X is a competition between clubs from four European countries, the Heine adds clubs from two more countries, more for the "shield" comp

[JM2K6]

I have 0 problem with them takin part in the PRO, just don't think they fit in Europe. Competition identity is important.

Yep, agree 100%.
It has not been formally agreed and signed off by EPCR yet. Thou I should imagine that money talks

May I ask what the difference is?

The Pro X is a competition between clubs from four European countries, the Heine adds clubs from two more countries, more for the "shield" comp

England, France, Italy = 3 surely

[Tichtheid]

Yep, agree 100%.
It has not been formally agreed and signed off by EPCR yet. Thou I should imagine that money talks

May I ask what the difference is?

The Pro X is a competition between clubs from four European countries, the Heine adds clubs from two more countries, more for the "shield" comp

England, France, Italy = 3 surely

Italy already has clubs in the Pro 14, though, the four European countries mentioned - Sco, Wales, Ire, Italy, plus Fra & Eng

[JM2K6]

May I ask what the difference is?

The Pro X is a competition between clubs from four European countries, the Heine adds clubs from two more countries, more for the "shield" comp

England, France, Italy = 3 surely

Italy already has clubs in the Pro 14, though, the four European countries mentioned - Sco, Wales, Ire, Italy, plus Fra & Eng

Totally forgot they played in the Pro14!

I guess the important difference is South Africa aren't European and have no history in Europe beyond the bizarre nature of those Pro 14 teams.

[Globus]

Tournament has been poor for a while. Knock it on the head and have a UK&I league I reckon

Whoa, hang on. We've a Brexit barrier to deal with first.

[Tichtheid]

England, France, Italy = 3 surely

Italy already has clubs in the Pro 14, though, the four European countries mentioned - Sco, Wales, Ire, Italy, plus Fra & Eng

Totally forgot they played in the Pro14!

I guess the important difference is South Africa aren't European and have no history in Europe beyond the bizarre nature of those Pro 14 teams.

To be fair though the competition itself is barely 25 years old and is competed for between rich guys funding clubs in two countries and the rugby unions in the others, it's not Blackheath or Richmond v Dublin med school and Edinburgh Accies, or whatever the oldest clubs are

[JM2K6]

Italy already has clubs in the Pro 14, though, the four European countries mentioned - Sco, Wales, Ire, Italy, plus Fra & Eng

Totally forgot they played in the Pro14!

I guess the important difference is South Africa aren't European and have no history in Europe beyond the bizarre nature of those Pro 14 teams.

To be fair though the competition itself is barely 25 years old and is competed for between rich guys funding clubs in two countries and the rugby unions in the others, it's not Blackheath or Richmond v Dublin med school and Edinburgh Accies, or whatever the oldest clubs are

Yeah, it's a flawed setup. But it ties nicely in with things like the 6 Nations, the Lions, etc. Adding the Saffers seems bizarre (and frankly I am already tired of the dominance of extreme physicality and meat-head rugby, so more of that is going to make things a lot worse).

But 25 years is a long time, especially in sport. Pro rugby has only been around for about that length of time - it's plenty of history!

[Tichtheid]

Yeah, it's a flawed setup. But it ties nicely in with things like the 6 Nations, the Lions, etc. Adding the Saffers seems bizarre (and frankly I am already tired of the dominance of extreme physicality and meat-head rugby, so more of that is going to make things a lot worse).

But 25 years is a long time, especially in sport. Pro rugby has only been around for about that length of time - it's plenty of history!

I'm totally with you on the bolded bit, but some of the stuff I've seen from SA has been good, all-court rugby, more so than say some of the English and French sides, not to mention my own team Edinburgh.

[Hal Jordan]

We bring the meatheads here to trample our delicate English lads and steal their pizza money.

[JM2K6]

We bring the meatheads here to trample our delicate English lads and steal their pizza money.

Didn't peg you for a Sale fan

[Sundance-Kid]

Precursor to the Seven Nations?

Then they will start every match with

[OomStruisbaai]

Makes it easier for the NH clubs to poach Saffers.

[Hal Jordan]

We bring the meatheads here to trample our delicate English lads and steal their pizza money.

Didn't peg you for a Sale fan

Wash your mouth out and pray to St Jason of Funbus for forgiveness.

And my bedroom habits have nothing to do with you, you dirty little devil!

[bok_viking]

I rarely post on here but as a counter point to the OP, here is what I posted on PR.

I was always opposed to the expansion of the Pro12, but actually think they have ended up with something that could be very exciting. I am not delighted with the structure, but with 16 teams it is probably as good as it will get. It also reduces travel and costs.

I can't wait to see the Sharks coming from a 35 degree C, humid Durban to play in Edinburgh on a cold, wet night in January.

I like it and am keen to see how it turns out.

In addition, I think it will be good for the Heineken. Bringing in more strong teams raises the bar. There are enough Saffas in the UK let alone anywhere else to give the SA teams strong support.

I have 0 problem with them takin part in the PRO, just don't think they fit in Europe. Competition identity is important.

While there are enough expats to lend some support when Saffas come up to the northern hemisphere, it's not the same going to the other way.

Actually there are loads of british expats or people with british connections in South Africa. Even quite a few french here. So unless they are not interested in Rugby at all, I think European clubs might get some support here during European games. Every time international teams come here there are lots of the local expats out to support them.

[BnM]

Obviously Wales, Scot, Ireland, Italy can do whatever makes them happy,. Saffer's tend to be concentrated in London though. Not keen on them playing in HC though.

[Slick]

Obviously Wales, Scot, Ireland, Italy can do whatever makes them happy,. Saffer's tend to be concentrated in London though. Not keen on them playing in HC though.

A lot in Edinburgh as well

[Jock42]

Obviously Wales, Scot, Ireland, Italy can do whatever makes them happy,. Saffer's tend to be concentrated in London though. Not keen on them playing in HC though.

A lot in Edinburgh as well

Aye but they all play for Embra

[Yr Alban]

I reckon having the 'real' Saffa sides in the ProHoweverMany will make the competition a lot more interesting.

Might be a bit painful for the Scottish sides in their current state, mind...

[OomStruisbaai]

I reckon having the 'real' Saffa sides in the ProHoweverMany will make the competition a lot more interesting.

Might be a bit painful for the Scottish sides in their current state, mind...

The Saffers in the sides will be very helpfull. Will lead the braais in SA.

[FalseBayFC]

England, France, Italy = 3 surely

Italy already has clubs in the Pro 14, though, the four European countries mentioned - Sco, Wales, Ire, Italy, plus Fra & Eng

Totally forgot they played in the Pro14!

I guess the important difference is South Africa aren't European and have no history in Europe beyond the bizarre nature of those Pro 14 teams.

No history in Europe? Ha ha. Apart from the NHS thieving all our doctors and nurses, Scotland our rugby players and England our cricketers we sent our best and bravest to fight in the Battle of Britain. All we got in return was colonial invasions.

It's like Windrush all over again. Trying to wash your hands of your debts.

Think of this as the first tranche of reparations due for the slaughter at Rorkes Drift of men armed with spears by men armed with guns. Oh and the murder of Boer women and babies in concentration camps.

[JM2K6]

Italy already has clubs in the Pro 14, though, the four European countries mentioned - Sco, Wales, Ire, Italy, plus Fra & Eng

Totally forgot they played in the Pro14!

I guess the important difference is South Africa aren't European and have no history in Europe beyond the bizarre nature of those Pro 14 teams.

No history in Europe? Ha ha. Apart from the NHS thieving all our doctors and nurses, Scotland our rugby players and England our cricketers we sent our best and bravest to fight in the Battle of Britain. All we got in return was colonial invasions.

It's like Windrush all over again. Trying to wash your hands of your debts.

Think of this as the first tranche of reparations due for the slaughter at Rorkes Drift of men armed with spears by men armed with guns. Oh and the murder of Boer women and babies in concentration camps.

I fear you've overreacted to a point I was making about South African rugby.

[Enzedder]

Jaysus man, talk about taking seriously that which is poked at you in fun. If you can't handle some gentle ribbing, you should question whether you should be in any social media.

[Gumboot]

No history in Europe? Ha ha. Apart from the NHS thieving all our doctors and nurses, Scotland our rugby players and England our cricketers we sent our best and bravest to fight in the Battle of Britain. All we got in return was colonial invasions.

We got our share of good'uns as well: Watling, Wagner, Conway...

[sockwithaticket]

Italy already has clubs in the Pro 14, though, the four European countries mentioned - Sco, Wales, Ire, Italy, plus Fra & Eng

Totally forgot they played in the Pro14!

I guess the important difference is South Africa aren't European and have no history in Europe beyond the bizarre nature of those Pro 14 teams.

No history in Europe? Ha ha. Apart from the NHS thieving all our doctors and nurses, Scotland our rugby players and England our cricketers we sent our best and bravest to fight in the Battle of Britain. All we got in return was colonial invasions.

It's like Windrush all over again. Trying to wash your hands of your debts.

Think of this as the first tranche of reparations due for the slaughter at Rorkes Drift of men armed with spears by men armed with guns. Oh and the murder of Boer women and babies in concentration camps.

Being you must be utterly exhausting. It's quite some effort to misinterpret that comment in the way you did and to get so wound up by it.