average joe wrote: ↑Fri Jan 27, 2023 1:27 pm
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
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 1:40 pm
by Sards
JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 27, 2023 1:12 pm
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
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 2:01 pm
by LoveOfTheGame
JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 27, 2023 1:12 pm
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 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 27, 2023 1:12 pm
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.
JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 27, 2023 1:12 pm
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.
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?
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.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 8:22 pm
by Sandstorm
JLDP is Currie Cup standard. Bring back Libbok or Willemse please.
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
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
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 11:52 am
by Jim Lahey
OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Mon Mar 27, 2023 11:29 am
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
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:12 pm
by 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.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:22 pm
by Jim Lahey
fishfoodie wrote: ↑Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:12 pm
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.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:37 pm
by OomStruisbaai
I'll never count out the $hark$. No way they can be shite again like the past weekend.
fishfoodie wrote: ↑Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:12 pm
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
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 6:35 pm
by 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)
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 6:37 pm
by 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)
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 6:38 pm
by 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)
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 6:44 pm
by 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
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:34 am
by OomStruisbaai
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:41 am
by OomStruisbaai
Expecting 50,000 for this double header.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:44 am
by OomStruisbaai
Stormers vs Harlequins is going to be a massive game. Both teams play running rugby and the weather is going to be great.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:08 am
by 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.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:10 am
by 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).
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:21 am
by 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.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:30 am
by OomStruisbaai
Quins by 12
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:38 am
by OomStruisbaai
JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:21 am
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.
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.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:44 am
by robmatic
JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:08 am
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.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:49 am
by OomStruisbaai
Looks weak.
Re: 2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:56 am
by Sandstorm
Cock. Match is on BT Sport, the only service I don't have.
