7-3 to La Rochelle v Bayonne after 15 minutes.

Droptheclaw wrote: Ha, you're not wrong there Pinky - the way it's been going the criteria will be reliant on a gibbous moon and Punxsutawney Pat making an appearance on Groundhog Day....

I thought they were simplifying the criteria to nett worth of [strike]millionaire[/strike] billionaire owner for next year?

Ha, you're not wrong there Pinky - the way it's been going the criteria will be reliant on a gibbous moon and Punxsutawney Pat making an appearance on Groundhog Day....

Droptheclaw wrote: So a 7th or 8th position would see us through to a play off semi-final as it were and then a fixture at home v 7th placed French team - last season that was Stade Francais. Interesting - if a wee bit convoluted

Yeah basically the highest Pro12 team not already qualified gets into the playoff. To be honest I suspect they don't even know themselves whether the Challenge Cup winners get in! There could be another announcement next week ...

So a 7th or 8th position would see us through to a play off semi-final as it were and then a fixture at home v 7th placed French team - last season that was Stade Francais. Interesting - if a wee bit convoluted

Yeah, there was a reference to it on Wikipedia but someone removed it last week. I can see their point I suppose, now that I read it, the statement that EPCR released is fairly clear that playoff qualification is by league position: www.epcrugby.com/news/28940.php
At the time we were more concerned about the fact that one of the Pro12 spots was gone, that it didn't really register.
The way things are shaping up, it would actually be more likely that Connacht would be denied a playoff spot by a Challenge Cup winner than v.v., so it might be for the best.
I'd be happier if it was stated more clearly on the site in the Qualification section .

There doesn't seem to be any conclusive evidence anywhere I've looked, Pinky. Having read this recent article on Planet Rugby, they mention a convoluted play off, but then elsewhere in Wikipedia it says : For the 2015-16 season, there will be a 3-team play-off; the 7th-placed team in the English Premiership will play the 8th-placed (or highest non-qualified) team from the PRO 12, with the winner playing the 7th-placed team in the Top 14.

It seems to be somewhat messy, to say the least. Unfortunately the whole thing feels half-baked at the minute; perhaps the following year will be more savvily structured.

Can anyone clarify definitively the position of the Challenge Cup winners for next season's qualification?
The original plans stated that the Challenge Cup winner would go into the playoffs if not already qualified via their league.
When they made the most recent announcement about changing the playoff structure, there was no mention of this rule. I kinda assumed that since it wasn't mentioned, it was staying the same, but a lot of the media coverage over the weekend was talking about there being no route into Champions Cup via Challenge Cup anymore.
The EPCR website still has the old rules listed but without mention of the Challenge Cup winners. All seems a bit ambiguous.

And suddenly I'm interested in the Challenge Cup! :lol: I think a lot could depend on next weeks game. If we beat Exeter I expect them to throw in the towel. Also La Rochelle vs Bayoone has it's own undercurrent in that I seriously doubt either of those two teams want to lose to a competitor in the same league (which can only be good for us).

Borders no.2 wrote: All over. 3 tries for Bayonne so only the 4 points for them. You'd think that's a good result but it makes it a 3 horse race in this pool. Makes next week interesting.

We may hope Exeter focuses on Premiership now, after all they could finish semi- finalist; And Bayonne should be in difficulty in top 14 so whatever they've done tonight, they can't afford to play fully concerned

Bonus point try away to Stade Francais for Dragons. 22-38.

Dragons leading 25-15 away to Stade.

All over. 3 tries for Bayonne so only the 4 points for them. You'd think that's a good result but it makes it a 3 horse race in this pool. Makes next week interesting.

All over! Connacht Quarter finalist!!

Borders no.2 wrote: Bayonne take the lead with time almost up with a converted try. 30-24.

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Bayonne take the lead with time almost up with a converted try. 30-24.