Evil_g wrote: Is this the sound of goal posts being moved?

www.the42.ie/champions-cup-challenge-qua...ify-1903336-Jan2015/

Under the qualification standard published for this season, the top seven finishers in the Pro12 – assuming one representative from Italy, otherwise top six – would qualify for the Champions Cup. The highest-ranked non-qualified team – in theory, eighth – would then go into a playoff against teams ranked seventh in England and France.

Today however, the Western Mail’s Simon Thomas uncovered an additional way for teams to make it into European’s premier club competition – the Challenge Cup winner would take a place in that qualification playoff.

There will be an all-Pro12 quarter-final in the Challenge Cup when Dragons (10th in the Pro12) host Cardiff Blues (9th). Connacht have been drawn away to Gloucester on the other side of the draw.

Even if this had been on the table from the start of the season I don't think we could've done much better in the Cup, but you've got to wonder whether it would be proposed in the middle of the season if Connacht were in 10th place in the league and three Welsh teams were in with a shot of qualifying through the front door.

It was on the table from the start of the season or when they changed the playoff process earlier on this season because I heard it a good while back and I think it has been discussed here. No conspiracy here.

Is this the sound of goal posts being moved?

www.the42.ie/champions-cup-challenge-qua...ify-1903336-Jan2015/

Under the qualification standard published for this season, the top seven finishers in the Pro12 – assuming one representative from Italy, otherwise top six – would qualify for the Champions Cup. The highest-ranked non-qualified team – in theory, eighth – would then go into a playoff against teams ranked seventh in England and France.

Today however, the Western Mail’s Simon Thomas uncovered an additional way for teams to make it into European’s premier club competition – the Challenge Cup winner would take a place in that qualification playoff.

There will be an all-Pro12 quarter-final in the Challenge Cup when Dragons (10th in the Pro12) host Cardiff Blues (9th). Connacht have been drawn away to Gloucester on the other side of the draw.

Even if this had been on the table from the start of the season I don't think we could've done much better in the Cup, but you've got to wonder whether it would be proposed in the middle of the season if Connacht were in 10th place in the league and three Welsh teams were in with a shot of qualifying through the front door.

I have to say I have every sympathy for the French clubs in the Challenge Cup, really if I was a supporter of any of their clubs in the Challenge Cup I'd want them to disregard the competition also. The Top 14 is a marathon so you need to protect your key players and with the table being so tight, every game at home or against sides in the bottom half is vitally important so its hard to be critical of them showing scant regard for this competition.

The Challenge Cup setup will have to be revisited for next season, was a bit farcical at times this season. The performances of Stade Francais and Brive were particularly poor. Bucharest are at their weakest since they re-joined the competition and Rovigo were cannon fodder.

columoc wrote:

connachtexile wrote:

Gloucester v Connacht
Exeter v Newcastle
Dragons v Cardiff
London Irish v Edinburgh

Not one French team in the Quarters. Says alot about how they rate this competition.

That is one way of looking at it, but looking at the Chapions cup, they have probably 4 group winners with Castre and Montpellier at the foot of the groups. I tnink that the French league is not as strong as it appears, but that they have a few highly resourced clubs - outside them it's even Steven.

Nope it definitely reflects their total disregard for the tournament, and will continue until such to me a as the financial rewards for the challenge cup mitigate against relegation from Pro2....

There are seven or eight clubs still at risk of relegation this season, but the behometh French clubs that have reached the latter stages of the European Cups are those on another level of financial clout....

When will we know whether the game with Gloucester will be held on April 3rd, 4th or 5th ?

Still very formidable at home from what I understand

Gloucester are 9th in England at the moment. Haven't seen any of them this season. Should we be confident?

Home semi final against Exeter/Newcastle if we beat Gloucester

connachtexile wrote:

Gloucester v Connacht
Exeter v Newcastle
Dragons v Cardiff
London Irish v Edinburgh

Not one French team in the Quarters. Says alot about how they rate this competition.

That is one way of looking at it, but looking at the Chapions cup, they have probably 4 group winners with Castre and Montpellier at the foot of the groups. I tnink that the French league is not as strong as it appears, but that they have a few highly resourced clubs - outside them it's even Steven.

Gloucester v Connacht
Exeter v Newcastle
Dragons v Cardiff
London Irish v Edinburgh

Not one French team in the Quarters. Says alot about how they rate this competition.

Looking elsewhere looks like Exeter won by just enough to edge ahead of Dragons on scoring difference so Dragons and Cardiff will meet for the 3rd time this season. No love lost there should be a tight contest.

You'd have to fancy Exeter at home to Newcastle. London Irish v Edinburgh is a tricky one to call maybe home advantage to decide that one?

I wonder is the semi-final draw tomorrow. Gloucester is going to be a very tough game but would be nice if we had the carrot of home advantage in the semis if we were to get through. With top seeding Gloucester might have won that advantage like we did 5 years ago but not sure about that.

Quarter final line up I make it:

Gloucester v Connacht
Exeter v Newcastle
Dragons v Cardiff
London Irish v Edinburgh

Ok so no surprises so far today so its Gloucester or nothing.

Ok Gloucester away won't be easy, and the main XV should focus on the Pro12, but I think we mustn't underestimate our potential depth squad on the 3rd of April, when the QF takes place, with the comebacks from injury

we can send in England a very very decent and specially motived XV, even with wholesale changes

Loughney (rest Buckley)
Henry (may be back, rest McCartney)
Ah You (rest White)
Muldowney (rest Roux)
Dillane (rest Kearney)
Browne (rest Muldoon)
Faloon (rest Heenan)
Naoupu (rest McKeon)
Blade (rest Marmion)
Carty (rest Ronaldson)
Niyi (rest Healy)
McSharry (rest Aki)
Finn (rest Henshaw)
Carr (rest Poolman)
Leader (rest Muliaina)

I don't say this team is perfect, or that the 15 players will be fit. But I deeply think that 10 changes could be made without damaging the level of the team by much, if the concerned players are trained to be ready for the event.
Roll over ASR t'morrow and : QF here we are!!

Oyonnax didn't get a TBP against Zebre, so a LBP for Connacht would put them ahead of them.
Not likely to be any use though unless Bucharest beat Newcastle by 8+ or there are some unlikely results in Pool 4.

Pool 1
London Irish 19
Cardiff Blues 19
Grenoble 12
Rovigo 1

Results
London Irish 43-41 Grenoble
Rovigo 17-20 Grenoble

Late tries for Andy Fenby and Myles Dorrian helped 14 man London Irish recover from a 10 point deficit to record a 43-41 bonus point victory over Grenoble at the Madjeski Stadium. Leading 12-0 inside 10 minutes, it looked like it would be a stroll in the park for the home side but Grenoble won the rest of the half 27-3 to lead by 12 at the break. London Irish regained the initiative after the break before a red card for London Irish hooker David Paice swung the direction of the match back the way of the French. However, London Irish's late flourish won them all 5 points and a bonus point win away to the hapless Rovigo will secure them a home quarter final.

Cardiff kept up the pressure at the top with a 104-12 win over Rovigo. Winger Richard Smith got 3 of the home sides 16 tries with 2 each for Lloyd Williams and Ellis Jenkins.

24 Jan: Rovigo v London Irish
London Irish will hope to secure top spot in the pool with a bonus point victory away to the Italians.

24 Jan: Grenoble v Cardiff Blues
Cardiff will hope to keep the pressure on London Irish and secure their spot in the quarter finals by winning away to Grenoble, although they look likely to qualify in any event.

Pool 2
Exeter 20
Connacht 15
Bayonne 9
La Rochelle 4

Results
Bayonne 14-0 La Rochelle
Connacht 24-33 Exeter Chiefs

Exeter overturned a 17-10 half time deficit to claim top spot in Pool 2, however 2nd half tries from Dean Mumm and Don Armand ensured the Premiership side departed Galway with 4 points. Despite scoring 4 tries to 3, Connacht were unable to pick up a losing bonus point and now go to La Rochelle needing a result to progress to the last 8.

Bayonne picked up their 2nd win of the competition in a low scoring contest against Top 14 rivals La Rochelle.

24 Jan: Exeter Chiefs v Bayonne
Having won Pool 2 at the weekend, Exeter will hope to secure a home quarter final and get some revenge for their defeat to Bayonne in Round 1.

24 Jan: La Rochelle v Connacht
Connacht travel to La Rochelle knowing they need to win to keep alive their hopes of progression.

Pool 3
Dragons 21
Newcastle 16
Stade Francais 15
Bucharest 1

Results
Stade Francais 47-12 Bucharest
Newcastle 29-40 Dragons

Dragons claimed top spot in Pool 3 with a superb bonus point win away to Newcastle. Having shocked the home side by racing into a 35-3 half time lead, Dragons had to withstand a 2nd half comeback from the home side but held on to win 40-29. Newcastle's fightback did earn them a 4 try bonus point which may prove crucial at the end of the pool.

Stade Francais kept their faint hopes of qualification alive with a 47-12 bonus point victory over winless Bucharest.

24 Jan: Dragons v Stade Francais
Having caused a surprise by winning the pool with 1 round to spare, Dragons will hope to secure a home quarter final by doing the double over the Paris based side. Stade have an outside chance of progression but at this stage may be inclined towards parking their interest in the competition

24 Jan: Bucharest v Newcastle
Newcastle travel to Bucharest knowing a win will see them progress to the quarter finals along with Dragons.

Pool 4
Edinburgh 17
Bordeaux-Begles 16
Lyon 14
London Welsh 0

Results:
Lyon 21-19 Edinburgh
Bordeaux-Begles 26-3 London Welsh

Edinburgh's hopes of a home quarter final were dealt a huge blow as they let an early 13-3 lead slip to fall to a late 2 point defeat to Lyon. Lyon's win keeps their interest in the competition alive ahead of their final game.

Bordeaux-Begles picked up a 4 try bonus point against London Welsh to bring their hopes of qualification down to the final game away to Edinburgh, Two tries in the final 15 minutes eventually broke the Premiership strugglers resistance.

23 Jan: Edinburgh v Bordeaux-Begles
Its winner takes all at Murrayfield. Edinburgh edged out the French side in Round 1 but a victory for Bordeaux-Begles will see them progress to the quarter final. The loser is likely to exit the competition barring a number of results going in their favour elsewhere.

25 Jan: London Welsh v Lyon
Lyon's 3 home victories have given them hope of progressing to the quarter finals and they will fancy their chances of a rare away victory against the winless hosts. However, Lyon are relying on results elsewhere and may be out of the competition by the time this game is played.

Pool 5
Gloucester 24
Oyonnax 12
Zebre 8
Brive 2

Results:
Gloucester 33-3 Oyonnax
Zebre 23-13 Brive

Gloucester continued their march towards a home quarter final with a bonus point victory at home to Oyonnax and now look set to take top seeding in the pool as the only remaining unbeaten side in the competition. Leading 19-3 after just 10 minutes, the scoring rate slowed down considerably after that but Gloucester secured the win and bonus points with tries at the end of either half. Oyonnax remain 2nd in the pool but look unlikely to qualify for the quarter finals.

Zebre made it a double over Brive as the French side's disappointing season continues. Trailing 13-6 midway through the 2nd half it looked like Brive might leave with the 4 points but a strong finish saw Zebre claim the win and deny Brive the consolation of a losing bonus point.

22 Jan: Brive v Gloucester
With yet another crucial domestic game coming up for Brive at home to Grenoble, Gloucester are unlikely to encounter too many problems in completing their stroll through Pool 5

22 Jan: Oyonnax v Zebre
Oyonnax will need all 5 points at home to Zebre to keep alive any slim hopes of qualifying for the quarter finals. Zebre will hope to finish their campaign on a high after some encouraging performances and results.

pinky wrote: They would want to confirm definitively whether the Challenge Cup winner is in or out of the playoff. The Chairman seems to be saying something different to what was previously announced.

If what McNaughton says is true then if Connacht finish 7th they would not get a playoff spot if Dragons, Cardiff or Edinburgh win the Challenge Cup.

Would be a shame. Supect a change of rule to suit those 3 teams + ExeGloucester, and not Connacht and Sale. Hope it's wrong though...