2024/2025 Not Heineken Cup
- OomStruisbaai
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The 2024/25 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments will continue with the same pool stage format as last season and will kick off in December with two consecutive rounds of action, followed by Rounds three and four on consecutive weekends in January 2025.
The pool draws for the 2024/25 tournaments will take place in Cardiff on Tuesday, July 2.
2024/25 CHAMPIONS CUP QUALIFIERS
TOP 14: Stade Toulousain, Stade Français Paris, Union Bordeaux-Begles, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
United Rugby Championship: Munster, Bulls, Leinster, Glasgow Warriors, Stormers, Ulster, Benetton, Sharks
Premiership: Northampton Saints, Bath, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
2024/25 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP QUALIFIERS
TOP 14: Section Paloise, USAP, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Aviron Bayonnais, Montpellier Hérault or Grenoble, RC Vannes
United Rugby Championship: Ospreys, Lions, Edinburgh, Connacht Rugby, Cardiff, Scarlets, Dragons RFC, Zebre Parma
Premiership: Gloucester, Newcastle Falcons
Invited: Two clubs
* The four Tier one clubs in the Champions Cup and the full list of Challenge Cup clubs will be confirmed in advance of the pool draws.
* Invited clubs to be announced shortly
2024/25 weekends
Round one – December 6/7/8
Round two – December 13/14/15
Round three – January 2025, 10/11/12
Round four – January 2025, 17/18/19
Round of 16 – April 2025. 4/5/6
Quarterfinals – April 2025, 11/12/13
Semifinals – May 2025, 2/3/4
2025 Challenge Cup Final – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Friday, May 23
2025 Champions Cup Final – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Saturday, May 24
The pool draws for the 2024/25 tournaments will take place in Cardiff on Tuesday, July 2.
2024/25 CHAMPIONS CUP QUALIFIERS
TOP 14: Stade Toulousain, Stade Français Paris, Union Bordeaux-Begles, RC Toulon, Stade Rochelais, Racing 92, Castres Olympique, ASM Clermont Auvergne
United Rugby Championship: Munster, Bulls, Leinster, Glasgow Warriors, Stormers, Ulster, Benetton, Sharks
Premiership: Northampton Saints, Bath, Sale Sharks, Saracens, Bristol Bears, Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers
2024/25 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP QUALIFIERS
TOP 14: Section Paloise, USAP, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Aviron Bayonnais, Montpellier Hérault or Grenoble, RC Vannes
United Rugby Championship: Ospreys, Lions, Edinburgh, Connacht Rugby, Cardiff, Scarlets, Dragons RFC, Zebre Parma
Premiership: Gloucester, Newcastle Falcons
Invited: Two clubs
* The four Tier one clubs in the Champions Cup and the full list of Challenge Cup clubs will be confirmed in advance of the pool draws.
* Invited clubs to be announced shortly
2024/25 weekends
Round one – December 6/7/8
Round two – December 13/14/15
Round three – January 2025, 10/11/12
Round four – January 2025, 17/18/19
Round of 16 – April 2025. 4/5/6
Quarterfinals – April 2025, 11/12/13
Semifinals – May 2025, 2/3/4
2025 Challenge Cup Final – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Friday, May 23
2025 Champions Cup Final – Principality Stadium, Cardiff; Saturday, May 24
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yet again the unwelcome addition of non European sides in a European event. hopefully this madness doesn't perpetuate, maybe we can get them to add some green creds and ban teams travelling by plane, they may still go by boat and train, but maybe not
It used to be a European event. Past tense. I'm not sure why that is difficult to grasp after all these years.Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:23 pm yet again the unwelcome addition of non European sides in a European event. hopefully this madness doesn't perpetuate, maybe we can get them to add some green creds and ban teams travelling by plane, they may still go by boat and train, but maybe not
- OomStruisbaai
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The sponsor is South African.assfly wrote: ↑Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:35 pmIt used to be a European event. Past tense. I'm not sure why that is difficult to grasp after all these years.Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:23 pm yet again the unwelcome addition of non European sides in a European event. hopefully this madness doesn't perpetuate, maybe we can get them to add some green creds and ban teams travelling by plane, they may still go by boat and train, but maybe not
- Uncle fester
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They still can't even manage to produce a basic app for mobile devices, let alone avoid clashes with other major sporting events for the final.
- OomStruisbaai
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Pool 1
Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Ulster Rugby
Pool 2
Leinster Rugby, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Stade Rochelais, Bristol Bears, Benetton Rugby, Bath Rugby
Pool 3
Northampton Saints, Munster Rugby, Vodacom Bulls, Stade Français Paris, Saracens, Castres Olympique
Pool 4
Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, Sale Sharks, DHL Stormers, RC Toulon, Harlequins
Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Ulster Rugby
Pool 2
Leinster Rugby, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Stade Rochelais, Bristol Bears, Benetton Rugby, Bath Rugby
Pool 3
Northampton Saints, Munster Rugby, Vodacom Bulls, Stade Français Paris, Saracens, Castres Olympique
Pool 4
Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, Sale Sharks, DHL Stormers, RC Toulon, Harlequins
- OomStruisbaai
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EPCR Challenge Cup Pools 2024/25
Pool 1: Cardiff Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Toyota Cheetahs, USAP, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Zebre Parma
Pool 2: Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Section Paloise, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons RFC, Emirates Lions, Ospreys
Pool 3: RC Vannes, Black Lion, Aviron Bayonnais, Scarlets, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby
Pool 1: Cardiff Rugby, Connacht Rugby, Toyota Cheetahs, USAP, Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Zebre Parma
Pool 2: Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Section Paloise, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons RFC, Emirates Lions, Ospreys
Pool 3: RC Vannes, Black Lion, Aviron Bayonnais, Scarlets, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby
I've improved it. Why do the south African teams have their shitty sponsors in the name?OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 3:29 pm Pool 1
Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Sharks, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Ulster Rugby
Pool 2
Leinster Rugby, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Stade Rochelais, Bristol Bears, Benetton Rugby, Bath Rugby
Pool 3
Northampton Saints, Munster Rugby, Bulls, Stade Français Paris, Saracens, Castres Olympique
Pool 4
Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, Sale Sharks, Stormers, RC Toulon, Harlequins
- OomStruisbaai
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Talking about the Saffers. Our teams not in the same pools.
Pool 1
Sharks play
Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers,
Pool 3
Bulls play
Northampton Saints, , Stade Français Paris, Saracens, Castres Olympique
Pool 4
Stormers play
Racing 92, Sale Sharks, RC Toulon, Harlequins
Pool 1
Sharks play
Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers,
Pool 3
Bulls play
Northampton Saints, , Stade Français Paris, Saracens, Castres Olympique
Pool 4
Stormers play
Racing 92, Sale Sharks, RC Toulon, Harlequins
- OomStruisbaai
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- Paddington Bear
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Any idea when the fixtures get released?
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
- OomStruisbaai
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Oom will place as soon as it get publish.
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Fecks sake, bath in same group as Bristol - 11 minutes away by express train
- OomStruisbaai
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They won't play each other in the pool stageinactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:05 pm Fecks sake, bath in same group as Bristol - 11 minutes away by express train
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Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?
- Uncle fester
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Yes it isinactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:10 pm Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?
- OomStruisbaai
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No it isn't, even a head banger like me understand it. The teams from the same leagues don't play each other for example Sharks and Ulster (URC) in pool 1 or Stormers and Glasgow in pool 4.Uncle fester wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:51 pmYes it isinactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:10 pm Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?
SS
The fixtures will be announced at a later date, with games to be played on the weekends of December 6-8, December 13-15, January 10-12 and January 17-19.
So what? The main sponsors of EURO 2024 include BYD and Qatar Airlines. I don't see China or Qatar competing. And the lead sponsors for Uefa club competitions include FedEx, Hankook and HiSense but I don't see teams from Washington, Beijing or Seoul in there.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jun 12, 2024 4:36 pmThe sponsor is South African.assfly wrote: ↑Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:35 pmIt used to be a European event. Past tense. I'm not sure why that is difficult to grasp after all these years.Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:23 pm yet again the unwelcome addition of non European sides in a European event. hopefully this madness doesn't perpetuate, maybe we can get them to add some green creds and ban teams travelling by plane, they may still go by boat and train, but maybe not
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
- OomStruisbaai
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True Boet, after Heineken a Scottish whisky sponsor would be great. Keep it in the family.Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 10:08 pmSo what? The main sponsors of EURO 2024 include BYD and Qatar Airlines. I don't see China or Qatar competing. And the lead sponsors for Uefa club competitions include FedEx, Hankook and HiSense but I don't see teams from Washington, Beijing or Seoul in there.
Lets just say I'd fancy the Sharks' pack to deal with those 4 sides a tad bit better than Ulster's.
Ian Madigan for Ireland.
- OomStruisbaai
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The only problem is that the Boks will probably not available in the first two rounds.
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We've had plenty of sponsorship in European rugby from the likes of Investec without any Saffer teams foisting stupid travel requirements and boosting greenhouse gas emissions upon the event.Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 10:08 pmSo what? The main sponsors of EURO 2024 include BYD and Qatar Airlines. I don't see China or Qatar competing. And the lead sponsors for Uefa club competitions include FedEx, Hankook and HiSense but I don't see teams from Washington, Beijing or Seoul in there.
For the World Cup fine, the summer/autumns tours fine, else European teams for a European event, and in fairness the same for Africa, we shouldn't try and crash any of their products claiming it's the only way we can survive.
Why are you still moaning about this?Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:01 am For the World Cup fine, the summer/autumns tours fine, else European teams for a European event, and in fairness the same for Africa, we shouldn't try and crash any of their products claiming it's the only way we can survive.
Just deal with it. Your formerly European competition has South Africans in it. Shock horror.
Wipe your tears and move on with your life.
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Edd Zaggery.assfly wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:24 amWhy are you still moaning about this?Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:01 am For the World Cup fine, the summer/autumns tours fine, else European teams for a European event, and in fairness the same for Africa, we shouldn't try and crash any of their products claiming it's the only way we can survive.
Just deal with it. Your formerly European competition has South Africans in it. Shock horror.
Wipe your tears and move on with your life.
It's not so much confusing to us as rugby fans (its just incredibly shit). But it is very confusing to the casual 'drop in' fan - its completely alien to pretty much any other sporting format anywhere else in the world. And its fucking stupid!OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:34 pmNo it isn't, even a head banger like me understand it. The teams from the same leagues don't play each other for example Sharks and Ulster (URC) in pool 1 or Stormers and Glasgow in pool 4.Uncle fester wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:51 pmYes it isinactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:10 pm Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?
Unfortunately that's not the case for the Challenge Cup. Last year, in a pool that had Edinburgh, Gloucester, Clermont, Castres, Black Lion and Scarlets, so you could easily have no team playing another from their own league, Edinburgh played against the Scarlets. This was done purely so Gloucester could get a game against Black Lion with the intention to give them a boost to get to the knockout stages. Gloucester didn't play the Scarlets - you know, the kind of cross border game with a West Country side that the Welsh are always screaming for.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:34 pmNo it isn't, even a head banger like me understand it. The teams from the same leagues don't play each other for example Sharks and Ulster (URC) in pool 1 or Stormers and Glasgow in pool 4.Uncle fester wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:51 pmYes it isinactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:10 pm Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?
SSThe fixtures will be announced at a later date, with games to be played on the weekends of December 6-8, December 13-15, January 10-12 and January 17-19.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
It really is terrible. Not much sporting jeopardy in the pools because 2/3rds of the teams go through. Then they also ruin the build up to the quarter finals as well by having the round of 16 the week before so away fans can't arrange travel.PornDog wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:48 amIt's not so much confusing to us as rugby fans (its just incredibly shit). But it is very confusing to the casual 'drop in' fan - its completely alien to pretty much any other sporting format anywhere else in the world. And its fucking stupid!OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:34 pmNo it isn't, even a head banger like me understand it. The teams from the same leagues don't play each other for example Sharks and Ulster (URC) in pool 1 or Stormers and Glasgow in pool 4.
I'd prefer groups of three with home and away to this nonsense. A return leg creates a bit more excitement than one offs, and the potential for a bit more cross border rivalry over a few seasons.robmatic wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 9:05 amIt really is terrible. Not much sporting jeopardy in the pools because 2/3rds of the teams go through. Then they also ruin the build up to the quarter finals as well by having the round of 16 the week before so away fans can't arrange travel.PornDog wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:48 amIt's not so much confusing to us as rugby fans (its just incredibly shit). But it is very confusing to the casual 'drop in' fan - its completely alien to pretty much any other sporting format anywhere else in the world. And its fucking stupid!OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:34 pm
No it isn't, even a head banger like me understand it. The teams from the same leagues don't play each other for example Sharks and Ulster (URC) in pool 1 or Stormers and Glasgow in pool 4.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
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Agree on the Challenge Cup.Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:53 amUnfortunately that's not the case for the Challenge Cup. Last year, in a pool that had Edinburgh, Gloucester, Clermont, Castres, Black Lion and Scarlets, so you could easily have no team playing another from their own league, Edinburgh played against the Scarlets. This was done purely so Gloucester could get a game against Black Lion with the intention to give them a boost to get to the knockout stages. Gloucester didn't play the Scarlets - you know, the kind of cross border game with a West Country side that the Welsh are always screaming for.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:34 pmNo it isn't, even a head banger like me understand it. The teams from the same leagues don't play each other for example Sharks and Ulster (URC) in pool 1 or Stormers and Glasgow in pool 4.
SSThe fixtures will be announced at a later date, with games to be played on the weekends of December 6-8, December 13-15, January 10-12 and January 17-19.
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I'll only moan about it for as long as there are non European sides in the event. Which mayn't be too long if the fabled stories of Saffer TV money turn out to be even less authentic than the stories of Welsh TV money.assfly wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:24 amWhy are you still moaning about this?Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:01 am For the World Cup fine, the summer/autumns tours fine, else European teams for a European event, and in fairness the same for Africa, we shouldn't try and crash any of their products claiming it's the only way we can survive.
Just deal with it. Your formerly European competition has South Africans in it. Shock horror.
Wipe your tears and move on with your life.
Is it this coming season the Saffer mob stop paying for travel? Once our lot has to put up with travel and paying huge amounts for it they're going to get less and less enthusiastic, unless a bucket load of TV money turns up, that sadly would sway them.
Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 1:41 pm I'll only moan about it for as long as there are non European sides in the event. Which mayn't be too long if the fabled stories of Saffer TV money turn out to be even less authentic than the stories of Welsh TV money.
Is it this coming season the Saffer mob stop paying for travel? Once our lot has to put up with travel and paying huge amounts for it they're going to get less and less enthusiastic, unless a bucket load of TV money turns up, that sadly would sway them.
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If we have to expand to more nations/sides we could have looked at Spain, Georgia, Romania... and not added in a stupid amount of travelling. And if SA must play not simply in the Currie Cup they could be helping out in Africa playing sides from Zim and Namibia, not so much the likes of Kenya as again the travelling looks absurd to me.assfly wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 1:53 pmRhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 1:41 pm I'll only moan about it for as long as there are non European sides in the event. Which mayn't be too long if the fabled stories of Saffer TV money turn out to be even less authentic than the stories of Welsh TV money.
Is it this coming season the Saffer mob stop paying for travel? Once our lot has to put up with travel and paying huge amounts for it they're going to get less and less enthusiastic, unless a bucket load of TV money turns up, that sadly would sway them.
My objections will prove utterly futile if SA starts to add a lot more money into the event, but so far my hopes are not squashed.
As regards the URC, well I wouldn't have let you in but that's not my bailiwick
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Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 2:12 pmIf we have to expand to more nations/sides we could have looked at Spain, Georgia, Romania... and not added in a stupid amount of travelling. And if SA must play not simply in the Currie Cup they could be helping out in Africa playing sides from Zim and Namibia, not so much the likes of Kenya as again the travelling looks absurd to me.assfly wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 1:53 pmRhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2024 1:41 pm I'll only moan about it for as long as there are non European sides in the event. Which mayn't be too long if the fabled stories of Saffer TV money turn out to be even less authentic than the stories of Welsh TV money.
Is it this coming season the Saffer mob stop paying for travel? Once our lot has to put up with travel and paying huge amounts for it they're going to get less and less enthusiastic, unless a bucket load of TV money turns up, that sadly would sway them.
My objections will prove utterly futile if SA starts to add a lot more money into the event, but so far my hopes are not squashed.
As regards the URC, well I wouldn't have let you in but that's not my bailiwick
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get used to it, you're about as welcome as a fart that follows through. but again I will note on the off chance you've actually got some money that will render my objections worthless because that will trump all else for the clubs/unions
I don't get it.
South Africa has added so much value to your competitions.
Hell even the star Kiwis want in. That makes it a top product.
The only reason I can imagine for bitching is because it takes away the advantage some teams had before we joined and it makes it harder to compete in the tournaments.
Grow a pair man if that's the case. Improve your sides and grow your skills so that you compete at a better level.
Stop bitching. Bitching is for procrastinators
South Africa has added so much value to your competitions.
Hell even the star Kiwis want in. That makes it a top product.
The only reason I can imagine for bitching is because it takes away the advantage some teams had before we joined and it makes it harder to compete in the tournaments.
Grow a pair man if that's the case. Improve your sides and grow your skills so that you compete at a better level.
Stop bitching. Bitching is for procrastinators