2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup

[JM2K6]

You tedious troll, no Saffa was defending the format on here and you know it.

Not only did I explicitly not say that, which is a remarkable lack of reading comprehension for such a short post, but I also wouldn't expect Saffers to defend the format. You guys are just thrilled to be here, it's great for you - why would you want to complain about any of it?

Still, excellent to see another great example of the good faith discussions that you guys have brought to the table

[Sards]

Us: point out the problems with the format.
Saffers: HURR WHINGING POMS WE ARE EXPERTS ON THIS TOURNAMENT WE'VE JUST NOTICED
Players, coaches, supporters: Huge amounts of complaints about the format
EPCR: acknowledges and proposes changes
Saffers: Graciously acknowledge that the "whinging poms" were actually in line with everyone else, and obviously correct

I think that's how it's gone

I think Dec and Jan are subject to the most extreme weather conditions.
Should just start all comps in February. December and January we are outdoors enjoying ourselves.

But regarding the pompous Saffers. Ja it's not a good look

[LoveOfTheGame]

Us: point out the problems with the format.
Saffers: HURR WHINGING POMS WE ARE EXPERTS ON THIS TOURNAMENT WE'VE JUST NOTICED
Players, coaches, supporters: Huge amounts of complaints about the format
EPCR: acknowledges and proposes changes
Saffers: Graciously acknowledge that the "whinging poms" were actually in line with everyone else, and obviously correct

I think that's how it's gone

If you put half as much effort into fixing the Champions Cup as you do bitching about us Saffas you'd have fixed the challenges at hand long ago tbf.

[JM2K6]

Us: point out the problems with the format.
Saffers: HURR WHINGING POMS WE ARE EXPERTS ON THIS TOURNAMENT WE'VE JUST NOTICED
Players, coaches, supporters: Huge amounts of complaints about the format
EPCR: acknowledges and proposes changes
Saffers: Graciously acknowledge that the "whinging poms" were actually in line with everyone else, and obviously correct

I think that's how it's gone

If you put half as much effort into fixing the Champions Cup as you do bitching about us Saffas you'd have fixed the challenges at hand long ago tbf.

As much as I'd like it to be otherwise, I don't actually have the power to change the Champions Cup. I think you might be confusing "niche rugby forum" with "EPCR".

Happy to keep educating you guys on how this stuff works, though - you clearly need it.

[charltom]

Us: point out the problems with the format.
Saffers: HURR WHINGING POMS WE ARE EXPERTS ON THIS TOURNAMENT WE'VE JUST NOTICED
Players, coaches, supporters: Huge amounts of complaints about the format
EPCR: acknowledges and proposes changes
Saffers: Graciously acknowledge that the "whinging poms" were actually in line with everyone else, and obviously correct

I think that's how it's gone

I think Dec and Jan are subject to the most extreme weather conditions.
Should just start all comps in February. December and January we are outdoors enjoying ourselves.

Here too - on the rugby pitch!

[Sandstorm]

There are also calls for a return to the original schedule in the season, when the pool stages were held in two weekends in October, December and January. This season the pool matches started in December.

That's not going to happen next season, what with the RWC final being on 28th of October. Euro matches in October would severely disadvantage Edinburgh

Scots still expecting to be involved in the RWC in second half of October?

[Tichtheid]

There are also calls for a return to the original schedule in the season, when the pool stages were held in two weekends in October, December and January. This season the pool matches started in December.

That's not going to happen next season, what with the RWC final being on 28th of October. Euro matches in October would severely disadvantage Edinburgh

Scots still expecting to be involved in the RWC in second half of October?

That was the joke I was making, yeah.

[Sandstorm]

JLDP is Currie Cup standard. Bring back Libbok or Willemse please.

[Sandstorm]

HT
21-0 Ulster

I’m going to watch Grey’ Anatomy

[Sards]

HT
21-0 Ulster

I’m going to watch Grey’ Anatomy

Eisch

[_Os_]

JM2K6 is going to be upset we don't know the difference between the URC and Champions/Challenge Cup.

[OomStruisbaai]

JM2K6 is going to be upset we don't know the difference between the URC and Champions/Challenge Cup.

It's the Pom Sandy.

[JM2K6]

JM2K6 is going to be upset we don't know the difference between the URC and Champions/Challenge Cup.

It's Oom, I'm just glad he knows what day it is

[OomStruisbaai]

JM2K6 is going to be upset we don't know the difference between the URC and Champions/Challenge Cup.

It's Oom, I'm just glad he knows what day it is

[average joe]

You tedious troll, no Saffa was defending the format on here and you know it.

Nothing in his post said they were.

HURR SURE THING BOB, NOTHING IN THATS POST THERES IMPLIED ANYTHING ABOUT A FORMAT HAY.

[Biffer]

You tedious troll, no Saffa was defending the format on here and you know it.

Nothing in his post said they were.

HURR SURE THING BOB, NOTHING IN THATS POST THERES IMPLIED ANYTHING ABOUT A FORMAT HAY.

Your paranoia is showing.

[assfly]

Quite a sad story about the Cheetah's team that played in the Pro16

https://rugby365.com/tournaments/europe ... elsewhere/

[OomStruisbaai]

EPCR CHALLENGE CUP – Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets – all kick-offs local times)

Friday 31 March
Match 4: Bristol Bears (A4) v ASM Clermont Auvergne (HCC9), Ashton Gate (20.00)
Viaplay-Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby

Match 8: Scarlets (B1) v CA Brive (A6), Parc y Scarlets (20.00)
S4C / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby

Saturday 1 April
Match 1: RC Toulon (A1) v Toyota Cheetahs (B6), Stade Félix Mayol (13.30)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / Viaplay-Premier Sports / FloRugby

Match 5: Stade Français Paris (B4) v Lyon (HCC9), Stade Jean Bouin (16.00)
beIN SPORTS / FloRugby

Match 7: Benetton Rugby (B2) v Connacht Rugby (A5), Stadio di Monigo (16.00)
epcrugby.tv / FloRugby

Match 2: Glasgow Warriors (A2) v Dragons RFC (B5), Scotstoun (17.30)
Viaplay-Premier Sports / FloRugby

Match 6: Emirates Lions (B3) v Racing 92 (HCC10), Emirates Airline Park (18.30)
SuperSport / beIN SPORTS / Viaplay-Premier Sports / FloRugby

Match 3: Cardiff Rugby (A3) v Sale Sharks (HCC10), Cardiff Arms Park (20.00)
S4C / BT Sport / FloRugby

Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April
QF 1: Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 5
QF 2: Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 3
QF 3: Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 6
QF 4: Winner Match 8 v Winner Match 4
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home advantage

Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April
SF 1: winner QF 1 v winner QF 2
SF 2: winner QF 3 v winner QF 4
NB The matches will be played in Europe and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home venue advantage

2023 EPCR Challenge Cup final: Friday 19 May; Aviva Stadium, Dublin

[OomStruisbaai]

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP – Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)

Friday 31 March
Match 5: Leicester Tigers (B4) v Edinburgh Rugby (A5), Mattioli Woods Welford Road (20.00)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby

Saturday 1 April
Match 3: Cell C Sharks (A3) v Munster Rugby (B6), Hollywoodbets Kings Park (13.30)
SuperSport / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby

Match 6: DHL Stormers (B3) v Harlequins (A6), DHL Stadium (16.00)
SuperSport / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby

Match 1: Leinster Rugby (A1) v Ulster Rugby (B8), Aviva Stadium (17.30)
RTE / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby

Match 8: Stade Rochelais (B1) v Gloucester Rugby (A8), Stade Marcel Deflandre (18.30)
beIN SPORTS / France TV / BT Sport / SuperSport / FloRugby

Sunday 2 April
Match 2: Exeter Chiefs (A2) v Montpellier Hérault Rugby (B7), Sandy Park (12.30)
ITV / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby

Match 4: Saracens (A4) v Ospreys (B5), StoneX Stadium (15.00)
BT Sport / S4C / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby

Match 7: Stade Toulousain (B2) v Vodacom Bulls (A7), Le Stadium (16.00)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / BT Sport / FloRugby

Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April
QF 1: Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 5
QF 2: Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 3
QF 3: Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 6
QF 4: Winner Match 8 v Winner Match 4
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home advantage

Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2
SF 2: Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4
NB The matches will be played in Europe and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage

2023 Heineken Champions Cup final: Saturday 20 May; Aviva Stadium, Dublin

[Jim Lahey]

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP – Round of 16
(Pool stage rankings in brackets / All kick-offs local times)

Friday 31 March
Match 5: Leicester Tigers (B4) v Edinburgh Rugby (A5), Mattioli Woods Welford Road (20.00)
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby

Saturday 1 April
Match 3: Cell C Sharks (A3) v Munster Rugby (B6), Hollywoodbets Kings Park (13.30)
SuperSport / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby

Match 6: DHL Stormers (B3) v Harlequins (A6), DHL Stadium (16.00)
SuperSport / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby

Match 1: Leinster Rugby (A1) v Ulster Rugby (B8), Aviva Stadium (17.30)
RTE / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby

Match 8: Stade Rochelais (B1) v Gloucester Rugby (A8), Stade Marcel Deflandre (18.30)
beIN SPORTS / France TV / BT Sport / SuperSport / FloRugby

Sunday 2 April
Match 2: Exeter Chiefs (A2) v Montpellier Hérault Rugby (B7), Sandy Park (12.30)
ITV / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby

Match 4: Saracens (A4) v Ospreys (B5), StoneX Stadium (15.00)
BT Sport / S4C / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby

Match 7: Stade Toulousain (B2) v Vodacom Bulls (A7), Le Stadium (16.00)
France TV / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / BT Sport / FloRugby

Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April
QF 1: Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 5
QF 2: Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 3
QF 3: Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 6
QF 4: Winner Match 8 v Winner Match 4
NB The highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home advantage

Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April
SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2
SF 2: Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4
NB The matches will be played in Europe and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage

2023 Heineken Champions Cup final: Saturday 20 May; Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Leicester, Sharks, Stormers, Leinster, La Rochelle, Montpellier, Sarries, Toulouse.

QFs

Leinster v Leicester (Leinster)
Toulouse v Sharks (Toulouse)
Montpellier v Stormers (tough one to call, Stormers?)
LaR v Sarries (LaR)

Leinster v Toulouse (Leinster)
LaR v Stormers (LaR)

Leinster v LaR (Leinster)

sorry for ruining the storyline lads

[fishfoodie]

Sexton is out for the season, so Leinster will be lucky to get past Ulster

I'd rather hoped they send off Lancaster with a win, but I can't see it.

[Jim Lahey]

Sexton is out for the season, so Leinster will be lucky to get past Ulster

I'd rather hoped they send off Lancaster with a win, but I can't see it.

FFS Leinster's pack will make Ross Byrne look like Carlos Spencer against Ulster.

[OomStruisbaai]

I'll never count out the $hark$. No way they can be shite again like the past weekend.

[fishfoodie]

Sexton is out for the season, so Leinster will be lucky to get past Ulster

I'd rather hoped they send off Lancaster with a win, but I can't see it.

FFS Leinster's pack will make Ross Byrne look like Carlos Spencer against Ulster.

More like Frank Spencer

[OomStruisbaai]

Teams

Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Guy Porter, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 Cameron Henderson, 4 George Martin, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 James Cronin.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Tom West, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Sam Wolstenholme, 22 Charlie Atkinson, 23 Dan Kelly.

Edinburgh: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (captain), 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 David Cherry, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Luke Crosbie, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Cameron Hutchison, 23 Damien Hoyland.

Date: Friday, March 31
Venue: Welford Road, Leicester
Kick-off: 20.00 (20.00 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre (France), Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

[OomStruisbaai]

Bristol Bears v ASM Clermont Auvergne
(Ashton Gate, Bristol – Kick-off: 20.00; 21.00 French time; 20.00

Teams

Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Ratu Naulago, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 James Williams, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Harry Randall (captain), 8 Fitz Harding, 7 Sam Jeffries, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Chris Vui, 4 Magnus Bradbury, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 George Kloska, 19 Charlie Rice, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Sam Bedlow, 23 Ioan Lloyd.

Clermont Auvergne: 15 Alex Newsome, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Irae Simone, 12 George Moala, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Sébastien Bézy, 8 Fritz Lee (captain), 7 Lucas Dessaigne, 6 Killian Tixeront, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Thibaud Lanen, 3 Cristian Ojovan, 2 Etienne Fourcade, 1 Etienne Falgoux.
Replacements: 16 Jean-Maxence Jules-Rosette, 17 Giorgi Beria, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Edward Annandale, 20 Loic Godener, 21 Baptiste Jauneau, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Alivereti Raka.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

[OomStruisbaai]

Scarlets v Brive
(Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – Kick-off: 20.00; 21.00 French time; 20.00 GMT)

Teams

Scarlets: 15 Tom Rogers, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Joshua Macleod (captain), 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Morgan Jones, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Ioan Nicholas.

Brive: 15 Nic Krone, 14 Arthur Bonneval, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Sam Arnold, 11 Kevin Fabien, 10 Stuart Olding, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Retief Marais, 7 Said Hireche (captain), 6 Rodrigo Bruni, 5 Lucas Paulos Adler, 4 Mesu Kunavula, 3 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 2 Lucas Da Silva, 1 Daniel Brennan.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Nathan Fraissenon, 18 Wesley Tapueluelu, 19 Renger van Eerten, 20 Sacha Gue, 21 Paul Abadie, 22 Tom Raffy, 23 Seta Tuicuvu.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum (England), Wayne Falla (England)
TMO: Steve Leyshon (England)

[OomStruisbaai]

2023/24 weekends:
Round One – 8/9/10 December 2023
Round Two – 15/16/17 December 2023
Round Three – 12/13/14 January 2024
Round Four – 19/20/21 January 2024

Round of 16 – 5/6/7 April 2024
Quarterfinals – 12/13/14 April 2024
Semi-finals – 3/4/5 May 2024

EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 24 May 2024

Champions Cup final – Saturday 25 May 2024

[OomStruisbaai]

[OomStruisbaai]

Expecting 50,000 for this double header.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers vs Harlequins is going to be a massive game. Both teams play running rugby and the weather is going to be great.

[JM2K6]

Quins have won 1 of their past 7? 8? league matches and would be heavy underdogs here. But it's the sort of game I can definitely see themselves putting in a big performance for. I expect them to lose but to not disgrace themselves. Stormers simply have the better team, are in better form, and are at home. Quins off the back of a tough match at Spurs/Saracens at the weekend and having had to fly so far for a 'European' game are up against it.

Should be a good watch.

[sockwithaticket]

It may well be the game of the weekend, most of the others look like they have a clear winner or will be boring (Exeter - Montpellier might well be cancer for the eyes).

[JM2K6]

I mean, there's a clear winner here - Stormers are the URC champs, 2nd in the competition this season, and Leinster only just managed to get a draw against them at home the other day. They've lost like 4 matches in all competitions all season. I think they've lost one match at home in 2 years or something daft like that. But it should still be fun to watch.

[OomStruisbaai]

Quins by 12

[OomStruisbaai]

I mean, there's a clear winner here - Stormers are the URC champs, 2nd in the competition this season, and Leinster only just managed to get a draw against them at home the other day. They've lost like 4 matches in all competitions all season. I think they've lost one match at home in 2 years or something daft like that. But it should still be fun to watch.

That was Leinster C. Quins are pack with international players ( many of them know SA conditions) and experience all over. The Stormers lost van Heerden for this game and have a 7 flanker playing lock. The Stadium ground make scrumming difficult , so the Stormers will have to defend well and dominate breakdowns. We'll struggle for possession.

[OomStruisbaai]

Quins by 12

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Centre Dan du Plessis, lock Ernst van Rhyn and prop Neethling Fouche are all set to earn their 50th DHL Stormers caps, while veteran prop Brok Harris will make it 250 combined caps for the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province in the knock-out clash, which kicks off at 16h00 on Saturday.

[robmatic]

Quins have won 1 of their past 7? 8? league matches and would be heavy underdogs here.

As an Edinburgh fan, I am clinging to the idea that league form isn't relevant for these knockout matches.

[OomStruisbaai]

Looks weak.

[Sandstorm]

Cock. Match is on BT Sport, the only service I don't have.