2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup

[Torquemada 1420]

I disagree - very few games are pointless exercises. Teams are mostly playing to sneak into the top 8 or to finish with a home advantage. Very few sides were without a chance of qualifying, coming into the final round. And some of the games they are playing will be against the teams with all to play for - eg Castre today, they are well out of it but Exeter need a win - and Castre are really showing up.

I think you are mixing up pointless with dead rubbers. A comp where everyone qualifies makes for a poor spectacle: we aren't on the edge of our seats because you can lose......... and lose again...... and still qualify. And the teams know it too so many simply aren't going flat out.

[Torquemada 1420]

Please tell me Exeter v CO isn't as dire at this one is.

[sockwithaticket]

Please tell me Exeter v CO isn't as dire at this one is.

I'd really like to...

[Tichtheid]

As an aside, how did Flake go with his kicks today?

missed three from three, as if you didn't know. It probably brings him down to around 90 or 91% for the season so far.

He did make a lovely try from nothing though, not that someone who seems to take no joy from rugby whatsoever would care.

[Ovals]

I disagree - very few games are pointless exercises. Teams are mostly playing to sneak into the top 8 or to finish with a home advantage. Very few sides were without a chance of qualifying, coming into the final round. And some of the games they are playing will be against the teams with all to play for - eg Castre today, they are well out of it but Exeter need a win - and Castre are really showing up.

I think you are mixing up pointless with dead rubbers. A comp where everyone qualifies makes for a poor spectacle: we aren't on the edge of our seats because you can lose......... and lose again...... and still qualify. And the teams know it too so many simply aren't going flat out.

Again - I disagree. you may get into the last 16 with a couple of wins - but you'll be playing away from home which is a massive disadvantage. The League round is a bit like the qualifying rounds in Formula 1 but with the worst third of the teams failing to make the starting grid.

[Torquemada 1420]

As an aside, how did Flake go with his kicks today?

missed three from three, as if you didn't know. It probably brings him down to around 90 or 91% for the season so far.

He did make a lovely try from nothing though, not that someone who seems to take no joy from rugby whatsoever would care.

Precisely the point. Yet again for Racing, there is at least one aspect of his game which is a car crash. And at best, it evens up his contributions but usually leaves him and his side in the red. TF he's off to join the right club for him.

PS Even Bernol is picking him up now (which is where I saw the stat): week after week Flake appearing in the "Flops" list.

[Ovals]

That looks Red

[JM2K6]

Appalling tackle. Fucksake.

[Tichtheid]

Professional coaches and commentators - yes I'd have Finn in my side no bother.

Joyless keyboard warrior - he's a flake.

[sockwithaticket]

Appalling tackle. Fucksake.

Tackle is generous.

[Ovals]

Penalty try and another yellow. That's Castre down to 12 for about 7 mins.

Game over - shame, it looked like it might be quite close.

[Torquemada 1420]

Again - I disagree. you may get into the last 16 with a couple of wins - but you'll be playing away from home which is a massive disadvantage. The League round is a bit like the qualifying rounds in Formula 1 but with the worst third of the teams failing to make the starting grid.

Which makes the gratuitous assumption that many of these teams give a sh*t. Which is why allowing all this flotsam through to the later stages is devaluing the whole thing.

F1 is a poor example. It ceased being a spectacle at least 2 decades ago and is simply sustained now as an accoutrement to the rich (like a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes) whilst it scrabbles around with increasingly tedious gimmicks to try and retain some sporting credibility.

[JM2K6]

Appalling tackle. Fucksake.

Tackle is generous.

Yeah, just an absolute cheap shot on a highly vulnerable player. Deserves a long ban.

[Ovals]

Again - I disagree. you may get into the last 16 with a couple of wins - but you'll be playing away from home which is a massive disadvantage. The League round is a bit like the qualifying rounds in Formula 1 but with the worst third of the teams failing to make the starting grid.

Which makes the gratuitous assumption that many of these teams give a sh*t. Which is why allowing all this flotsam through to the later stages is devaluing the whole thing.

F1 is a poor example. It ceased being a spectacle at least 2 decades ago and is simply sustained now as an accoutrement to the rich (like a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes) whilst it scrabbles around with increasingly tedious gimmicks to try and retain some sporting credibility.

Millions of people will disagree and pay several hundreds of pounds to go and watch Formula 1. Realistically, very few clubs have any chance of winning the Cup - much like few F1 teams/drivers have a chance of winning their championship.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree - happily, for me, I like it the way it is.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers look flat. Clermont play well.

[Torquemada 1420]

Appalling tackle. Fucksake.

Tackle is generous.

Yeah, just an absolute cheap shot on a highly vulnerable player. Deserves a long ban.

Typical dirty keewee

[Torquemada 1420]

Stormers look flat. Clermont play well.

This is an abysmal spectacle.

[Jim Lahey]

Ulster need Stormers to pull their heads out of their arses and win this FFS.

Not that we in any way deserve to make the KOs. And even if we do it'll be a 40pt tanking at Leinster.

[sockwithaticket]

'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

[Torquemada 1420]

'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

Might be the first time in Europe OTTOMH but defo not the first in T14x.

[Torquemada 1420]

'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

For posterity

[sockwithaticket]

'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

Might be the first time in Europe OTTOMH but defo not the first in T14x.

Jesus Christ.

[sockwithaticket]

Conceding a breakdown turnover to a team with no back row

[Torquemada 1420]

'Which French team managed to have all 3 back row players off the field through yellow or red cards at the same time during the 22/23 Champions Cup?' feels like a decent pub quiz question.

Might be the first time in Europe OTTOMH but defo not the first in T14x.

Jesus Christ.

I'd have to root around but one Tarbes v Toulon game was something like 11 cards including 5 reds IIRC.

[Tichtheid]

That is deliberate

[ASMO]

Maunder single handedly keeping Castre in the game

[Tichtheid]

Roos is a big strong player

[OomStruisbaai]

Welcome Evan Roos

[Lobby]

Might be the first time in Europe OTTOMH but defo not the first in T14x.

Jesus Christ.

I'd have to root around but one Tarbes v Toulon game was something like 11 cards including 5 reds IIRC.

Did you mean the match between Tarbes and Lannemezan which saw seven red cards being shown – five at the very start of a match?

There was a massive punch up in the opening moments as Tarbe players ‘too revenge’ for perceived grievances from a previous match.. Both coaches from each team were red-carded along with five players before the match resumed with 13 versus 12. It eventually finished 12 versus 11 after two more red cards were brandished before the end.

[Tichtheid]

oh what, great try Stormers

[OomStruisbaai]

Welcome Hershel Jantjies

[ASMO]

Castre, we are 3 men down...Exeter.. .lets kick it

[SaintK]

Castre, we are 3 men down...Exeter.. .lets kick it

Clueless

[Torquemada 1420]

Did you mean the match between Tarbes and Lannemezan which saw seven red cards being shown – five at the very start of a match?

There was a massive punch up in the opening moments as Tarbe players ‘too revenge’ for perceived grievances from a previous match.. Both coaches from each team were red-carded along with five players before the match resumed with 13 versus 12. It eventually finished 12 versus 11 after two more red cards were brandished before the end.

No. That one was much more recent: a couple of years ago. 5 of those reds were immediate from the kick off

[Jim Lahey]

That must be the worst 5 minutes of rugby I've seen from a pro side by Clermont

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers blits.

[Tichtheid]

Stormers are cutting loose, another lovely score

[Torquemada 1420]

Welcome Hershel Jantjies

I'm outta here. Watching either ASM or CO in this context is as pointless as assuming a Met Officer is on the straight.

[Tichtheid]

GAme back on, maybe

[SaintK]

Welcome Hershel Jantjies

I'm outta here. Watching either ASM or CO in this context is as pointless as assuming a Met Officer is on the straight.