NPR

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

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

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

It used to be a European event. Past tense. I'm not sure why that is difficult to grasp after all these years.

This God awful fucking format is continuing then

I'm not one for conspiracy theories or anything, but it really is hard to be this incompetent by accident!

PornDog wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 2:13 pm This God awful fucking format is continuing then

I'm not one for conspiracy theories or anything, but it really is hard to be this incompetent by accident!

Fucking dreadful format!!!!

assfly wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:35 pm

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

It used to be a European event. Past tense. I'm not sure why that is difficult to grasp after all these years.

The sponsor is South African.

PornDog wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 2:13 pm This God awful fucking format is continuing then

I'm not one for conspiracy theories or anything, but it really is hard to be this incompetent by accident!

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.

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

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

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

I've improved it. Why do the south African teams have their shitty sponsors in the name?

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

Oh dear Ulster.

Jim Lahey wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 5:09 pm Oh dear Ulster.

Same opponents as Sharks.

Be a nightmare trying to get Stormers vs Quins tickets at the Stoop.

Any idea when the fixtures get released?

Paddington Bear wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 6:04 pm Any idea when the fixtures get released?

Oom will place as soon as it get publish.

Fecks sake, bath in same group as Bristol - 11 minutes away by express train

inactionman wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:05 pm Fecks sake, bath in same group as Bristol - 11 minutes away by express train

They won't play each other in the pool stage

Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?

inactionman wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:10 pm Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?

Yes it is

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:51 pm

inactionman wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:10 pm Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?

Yes it is

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.


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.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 4:36 pm

assfly wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:35 pm

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

It used to be a European event. Past tense. I'm not sure why that is difficult to grasp after all these years.

The sponsor is South African.

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.

Biffer wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 10:08 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 4:36 pm

assfly wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:35 pm

It used to be a European event. Past tense. I'm not sure why that is difficult to grasp after all these years.

The sponsor is South African.

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.

True Boet, after Heineken a Scottish whisky sponsor would be great. Keep it in the family.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 5:47 pm

Jim Lahey wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 5:09 pm Oh dear Ulster.

Same opponents as Sharks.

Lets just say I'd fancy the Sharks' pack to deal with those 4 sides a tad bit better than Ulster's.

Eish. I think I prefer playing the Challenge Cup

Jim Lahey wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 5:21 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 5:47 pm

Jim Lahey wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 5:09 pm Oh dear Ulster.

Same opponents as Sharks.

Lets just say I'd fancy the Sharks' pack to deal with those 4 sides a tad bit better than Ulster's.

The only problem is that the Boks will probably not available in the first two rounds.

Biffer wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 10:08 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 4:36 pm

assfly wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2024 1:35 pm

It used to be a European event. Past tense. I'm not sure why that is difficult to grasp after all these years.

The sponsor is South African.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why are you still moaning about this?

Just deal with it. Your formerly European competition has South Africans in it. Shock horror.

Wipe your tears and move on with your life.

assfly wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:24 am

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.

Why are you still moaning about this?

Just deal with it. Your formerly European competition has South Africans in it. Shock horror.

Wipe your tears and move on with your life.

Edd Zaggery.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:34 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:51 pm

inactionman wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:10 pm Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?

Yes it is

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.

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 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:51 pm

inactionman wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:10 pm Is this going to be much more confusing than it needs to be?

Yes it is

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.


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.

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.

PornDog wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:48 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:34 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:51 pm

Yes it is

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.

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!

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.

robmatic wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 9:05 am

PornDog wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:48 am

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.

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!

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.

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.

Biffer wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:53 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:34 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:51 pm

Yes it is

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.


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.

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.

Agree on the Challenge Cup.

assfly wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 8:24 am

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.

Why are you still moaning about this?

Just deal with it. Your formerly European competition has South Africans in it. Shock horror.

Wipe your tears and move on with your life.

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.

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.

assfly wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 1:53 pm

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.

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.

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

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 2:12 pm

assfly wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 1:53 pm

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.

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.

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

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