2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup

[Torquemada 1420]

Annoyingly, Sarries end up with the easiest next tie of all

[Jim Lahey]

Piss Sprays have looked pretty good recently.

[Jim Lahey]

Annoyingly, Sarries end up with the easiest next tie of all

Hard to look past 8 comfortable home wins.
Toulouse/Bulls and Stormers/Quins the two that stand out as being competitive.

[OomStruisbaai]

Weird only Stormers and Ospreys urc teams on that side of the draw.. 6 URC teams on the other side.

[fishfoodie]

Exeter v Montpellier will have the Samaritans helplines swamped.

We'll see how many of the Munster massive, make their way down to Durban

[Torquemada 1420]

Weird only Stormers and Ospreys urc teams on that side of the draw.. 6 URC teams on the other side.

And Toulouse on course to play Munster at home again.

[OomStruisbaai]

Weird only Stormers and Ospreys urc teams on that side of the draw.. 6 URC teams on the other side.

And Toulouse on course to play Munster at home again.

Munster won't beat the Sharks in Durban. All the Boks will be back.

[OomStruisbaai]

Challenge Cup

Round of 16
31 March/1/2 April 2023
Toulon v Cheetahs
Stade Mayol

Glasgow Warriors v Dragons
Scotstoun Stadium

Cardiff v Sale Sharks
Cardiff Arms Park

Bristol Bears v Clermont
Ashton Gate Stadium

Stade Français v Lyon
Stade Jean-Bouin

Lions v Racing 92
TBA

Benetton v Connacht
Stadio Comunale di Monigo

Scarlets v Brive
Parc y Scarlets

[OomStruisbaai]

No South Africa hosting semi finals.

[Biffer]

George ordered to be removed by the independent match doctor...

You mean he wasn't just "winded"? Fucking terrible from Saracens.

It was absolutely clear to anyone in the ground the George shouldn’t have come back on. Disgraceful stuff from Sarries.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers vs Harlequins will be a cracker.

[Biffer]

Annoyingly, Sarries end up with the easiest next tie of all

Hard to look past 8 comfortable home wins.
Toulouse/Bulls and Stormers/Quins the two that stand out as being competitive.

I reckon Edinburgh can travel with an idea of having a damn good shot. Leicester have blown hot and cold, and the Gunners are coming off the back of beating Saracens at home, and getting damn close to beating them in London.

[Biffer]

Also, Billy Vunipola is a petulant shitebag when things don’t go his way. What a prick.

[OomStruisbaai]

[

Hard to look past 8 comfortable home wins.
Toulouse/Bulls and Stormers/Quins the two that stand out as being competitive.

Bulls struggle at the moment. You are right about the Stormers vs Quins. Cracker coming up. Luckily the Boks will be available

[Ovals]

Annoyingly, Sarries end up with the easiest next tie of all

Hard to look past 8 comfortable home wins.
Toulouse/Bulls and Stormers/Quins the two that stand out as being competitive.

I reckon Edinburgh can travel with an idea of having a damn good shot. Leicester have blown hot and cold, and the Gunners are coming off the back of beating Saracens at home, and getting damn close to beating them in London.

If Edinburgh play anything like they did today, then Leicester will really struggle - not that it matters too much - the winner will get humped away to Leinster.

Looking forward to the Quins game.

[Kawazaki]

Also, Billy Vunipola is a petulant shitebag when things don’t go his way. What a prick.

TBF, he's no worse than the uber-gobshite who is the Edinburgh captain.

[inactionman]

The game did get quite ratty - just reverse a few penalties to stop all this nonsense.

Good to see some tidy attacking play by the loosie fatties, Schoeman really carried well and good hands by Mawi for Earl's try.

[fishfoodie]

The game did get quite ratty - just reverse a few penalties to stop all this nonsense.

Good to see some tidy attacking play by the loosie fatties, Schoeman really carried well and good hands by Mawi for Earl's try.

He was Superb, Epic, almost unplayable.

[Chilli]

Weird only Stormers and Ospreys urc teams on that side of the draw.. 6 URC teams on the other side.

And Toulouse on course to play Munster at home again.

Munster won't beat the Sharks in Durban. All the Boks will be back.

Harlequins beat the $harks with all their Boks.

[Sards]

And Toulouse on course to play Munster at home again.

Munster won't beat the Sharks in Durban. All the Boks will be back.

Harlequins beat the $harks with all their Boks.

Give credit. There were some outstanding performances from Smith and Esterhuizen and that bloke that was stealing ball for fun. You can't win them all.

Still finished on same position and points as the Stormers. But a much harder group I reckon. Except for the French Bagles. French sides are pretty crap throughout the tournament

[assfly]

The Quins $harks game was great to watch. It was a pity about the result, but I think we went in with the wrong gameplan to allow Quins to run like that.

Quins were also due a big win, and the Stoop was jumping.

And to be honest, I can just watch Eben's try over and over again and forget we lost the game

[Chilli]

Munster won't beat the Sharks in Durban. All the Boks will be back.

Harlequins beat the $harks with all their Boks.

Give credit. There were some outstanding performances from Smith and Esterhuizen and that bloke that was stealing ball for fun. You can't win them all.

Still finished on same position and points as the Stormers. But a much harder group I reckon. Except for the French Bagles. French sides are pretty crap throughout the tournament

Cheetahs beating Pau is better than the $harks losing to the Quins.

[assfly]

Cheetahs beating Pau is better than the $harks losing to the Quins.

I tuned in to watch but the state of that stadium
Did they forget to tell anyone the game was happening?

[Chilli]

Cheetahs beating Pau is better than the $harks losing to the Quins.

I tuned in to watch but the state of that stadium
Did they forget to tell anyone the game was happening?

Well...................................................................................it wasn't pretty.

Your fellow $harks supporter has been talking his usual arrogant and ignorant crap. So had to get a little dig in.

[Chilli]

Cheetahs winning 9-6 in the last kick of the match.

Sounds like a belter of a game.....

I understand why some NH supporters don't want the SA teams in their competitions.

The Cheetahs not even in the URC, only play CC rugby, out of season, qualifies for the playoffs.

I can only imagine if the NH teams had to play in Osfontein.

Yeah, playing in Bloemfontein in January will be very hot and tough for the Euro Teams.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sounds like a belter of a game.....

I understand why some NH supporters don't want the SA teams in their competitions.

The Cheetahs not even in the URC, only play CC rugby, out of season, qualifies for the playoffs.

I can only imagine if the NH teams had to play in Osfontein.

Yeah, playing in Bloemfontein in January will be very hot and tough for the Euro Teams.

Or Nelspruit or Kimberley.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Quins $harks game was great to watch. It was a pity about the result, but I think we went in with the wrong gameplan to allow Quins to run like that.

Quins were also due a big win, and the Stoop was jumping.

And to be honest, I can just watch Eben's try over and over again and forget we lost the game

that was outstanding. Will give Care sleepless nights

[OomStruisbaai]

Munster won't beat the Sharks in Durban. All the Boks will be back.

Harlequins beat the $harks with all their Boks.

Give credit. There were some outstanding performances from Smith and Esterhuizen and that bloke that was stealing ball for fun. You can't win them all.

Still finished on same position and points as the Stormers. But a much harder group I reckon. Except for the French Bagles. French sides are pretty crap throughout the tournament

OK you just ignore Toulouse, Sharks need to go there if they get past Munster. Good luck.

[assfly]

Well...................................................................................it wasn't pretty.

Your fellow $harks supporter has been talking his usual arrogant and ignorant crap. So had to get a little dig in.

I really feel sorry for the Cheetahs. They must have been so chuffed to be back playing in Europe, but games like that must be pretty disappointing to play in.

[Chilli]

Well...................................................................................it wasn't pretty.

Your fellow $harks supporter has been talking his usual arrogant and ignorant crap. So had to get a little dig in.

I really feel sorry for the Cheetahs. They must have been so chuffed to be back playing in Europe, but games like that must be pretty disappointing to play in.

It was a terrible game.

[Sards]

Harlequins beat the $harks with all their Boks.

Give credit. There were some outstanding performances from Smith and Esterhuizen and that bloke that was stealing ball for fun. You can't win them all.

Still finished on same position and points as the Stormers. But a much harder group I reckon. Except for the French Bagles. French sides are pretty crap throughout the tournament

OK you just ignore Toulouse, Sharks need to go there if they get past Munster. Good luck.

Geez.....as long as its better than the Bagles and Cleremont.....those 2 are rubbish.
I don't mind losing to a good team tbh.
I cant stand wasting my time watching droll.

Harlequins are not easy beats....not your Cleremont or London Irish

[JM2K6]

Quins supporters usually turn up in good numbers and good voice, especially as the supporters association usually puts on coaches etc. It can make a real difference in those tough away games.

Wait, what's that skippy? The record from London to Cape Town overland is 13 days?

I don't think a Quins side that will have had their England players back for a grand total of one match - a huge one away to table toppers Saracens at the Spurs stadium - will be in much state to compete against a side of the quality and class of the Stormers having been forced to travel 6,000 miles for the privilege. Absolutely absurd stuff.

[average joe]

Quins supporters usually turn up in good numbers and good voice, especially as the supporters association usually puts on coaches etc. It can make a real difference in those tough away games.

Wait, what's that skippy? The record from London to Cape Town overland is 13 days?

I don't think a Quins side that will have had their England players back for a grand total of one match - a huge one away to table toppers Saracens at the Spurs stadium - will be in much state to compete against a side of the quality and class of the Stormers having been forced to travel 6,000 miles for the privilege. Absolutely absurd stuff.

Shame, the poor little souls. You can land in CT in less than a day, with less than no jetlag. They no longer need to catch a ferry down de-Nile.
You English have been complaining about something or another since the beginning of whatever this comp is called now. I don't think you'll ever be completely happy with it. Perhaps it's the dreary weather that makes you such grumpy fucks.

[JM2K6]

Quins supporters usually turn up in good numbers and good voice, especially as the supporters association usually puts on coaches etc. It can make a real difference in those tough away games.

Wait, what's that skippy? The record from London to Cape Town overland is 13 days?

I don't think a Quins side that will have had their England players back for a grand total of one match - a huge one away to table toppers Saracens at the Spurs stadium - will be in much state to compete against a side of the quality and class of the Stormers having been forced to travel 6,000 miles for the privilege. Absolutely absurd stuff.

Shame, the poor little souls. You can land in CT in less than a day, with less than no jetlag. They no longer need to catch a ferry down de-Nile.
You English have been complaining about something or another since the beginning of whatever this comp is called now. I don't think you'll ever be completely happy with it. Perhaps it's the dreary weather that makes you such grumpy fucks.

Ah yes the 24 hours spent on flights for an away game, at a casual 1.5k - 2 grand in Economy. Unless you want to spend actual days in the air.

This tournament has been mortally wounded by the introduction of the Saffer sides that's led to an absolutely batshit insane format and this sort of ridiculous anti-fan fixture that excludes only the richest fans or those few who live in the local area to begin with. I'm sure you wouldn't begin to argue that the fans aren't a huge part of European rugby.

Garbage tournament, garbage decisions. And it'd be the same regardless of which European side was having to travel to Cape Town. I guess unlike the French, we might actually send a first XV, more's the pity.

[sockwithaticket]

Quins supporters usually turn up in good numbers and good voice, especially as the supporters association usually puts on coaches etc. It can make a real difference in those tough away games.

Wait, what's that skippy? The record from London to Cape Town overland is 13 days?

I don't think a Quins side that will have had their England players back for a grand total of one match - a huge one away to table toppers Saracens at the Spurs stadium - will be in much state to compete against a side of the quality and class of the Stormers having been forced to travel 6,000 miles for the privilege. Absolutely absurd stuff.

Shame, the poor little souls. You can land in CT in less than a day, with less than no jetlag. They no longer need to catch a ferry down de-Nile.
You English have been complaining about something or another since the beginning of whatever this comp is called now. I don't think you'll ever be completely happy with it. Perhaps it's the dreary weather that makes you such grumpy fucks.

Whereas you can get to any of the actual European teams locations in a couple of hours. Unless it's a fairly late kick off on a Sunday you can be back home before the weekend's over and make it into work on Monday. No need to use up holiday days. Not to mention the massive disparity in flight cost.

It's just not viable to fly to South Africa and back for a rugby game. You'd have to turn it into a full blown holiday trip to make the outlay worthwhile.

[JM2K6]

Going to Toulon for a Quins game is one of my favourite sporting memories, even though we did eventually lose heavily. Great place, great trip, great sets of fans, great atmosphere, great food.

Nous les terribles guerriers du Pilou-Pilou qui descendons de la Montagne vers la Mer!

[Biffer]

Going to Toulon for a Quins game is one of my favourite sporting memories, even though we did eventually lose heavily. Great place, great trip, great sets of fans, great atmosphere, great food.

Nous les terribles guerriers du Pilou-Pilou qui descendons de la Montagne vers la Mer!

Similar. Great memories of trips to Toulon, Gloucester, Northampton, Dublin, Montpellier watching Edinburgh. Wouldn’t go to South Africa, too expensive, too much time. Those trips generally cost me a couple of hundred quid plus beer. South Africa would be four times that at least.

[JM2K6]

Going to Toulon for a Quins game is one of my favourite sporting memories, even though we did eventually lose heavily. Great place, great trip, great sets of fans, great atmosphere, great food.

Nous les terribles guerriers du Pilou-Pilou qui descendons de la Montagne vers la Mer!

Similar. Great memories of trips to Toulon, Gloucester, Northampton, Dublin, Montpellier watching Edinburgh. Wouldn’t go to South Africa, too expensive, too much time. Those trips generally cost me a couple of hundred quid plus beer. South Africa would be four times that at least.

My Toulon trip was a birthday present from my sister. I don't think she loves me enough for the Stormers tie.

[OomStruisbaai]

At least Wilco Louw can sleep at home.

[_Os_]

Quins supporters usually turn up in good numbers and good voice, especially as the supporters association usually puts on coaches etc. It can make a real difference in those tough away games.

Wait, what's that skippy? The record from London to Cape Town overland is 13 days?

I don't think a Quins side that will have had their England players back for a grand total of one match - a huge one away to table toppers Saracens at the Spurs stadium - will be in much state to compete against a side of the quality and class of the Stormers having been forced to travel 6,000 miles for the privilege. Absolutely absurd stuff.

Shame, the poor little souls. You can land in CT in less than a day, with less than no jetlag. They no longer need to catch a ferry down de-Nile.
You English have been complaining about something or another since the beginning of whatever this comp is called now. I don't think you'll ever be completely happy with it. Perhaps it's the dreary weather that makes you such grumpy fucks.

Ah yes the 24 hours spent on flights for an away game, at a casual 1.5k - 2 grand in Economy. Unless you want to spend actual days in the air.

This tournament has been mortally wounded by the introduction of the Saffer sides that's led to an absolutely batshit insane format and this sort of ridiculous anti-fan fixture that excludes only the richest fans or those few who live in the local area to begin with. I'm sure you wouldn't begin to argue that the fans aren't a huge part of European rugby.

Garbage tournament, garbage decisions. And it'd be the same regardless of which European side was having to travel to Cape Town. I guess unlike the French, we might actually send a first XV, more's the pity.

I think Joe was maybe referring to the players, that's how I read it, not away fans (which aren't really a thing in SA).

I can't see anyone/many going to SA for a knockout game as I've posted previously. But your numbers aren't accurate, I found return tickets on SkyScanner from London to CT covering Friday 31st March/Saturday 1st April/Sunday 2nd April for under £800, and on at least one of the flights it's 13-ish hours. Sure it means taking a few days off work flying out midweek, but it's half the numbers you're posting. You can get return tickets from the UK to SA under £500 (but not covering these dates from what I can see), £2k is way out.

The equation changes a bit with non-knockout fixtures if someone basically wants to go on holiday and see their team too, as it can be planned more in advance. If anyone is spending the money, they're far better off spending it on two weeks rather than a weekend.