Vaguely interesting footnote to the report on Cheetahs' Currie Cup survival on Tuesday.

The good news for Smith and Co is that the South African Rugby Union are now trying to ensure there is no further overlapping between the Currie Cup and the PRO14 competitions, which would ensure the Cheetahs can push their strongest team into both tournaments next year.

No idea how they plan to achieve that but wondering if it's part of a wider re-org of the SA season involving Pumas and Griquas joining the Pro16
#WildSpeculation

www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/currie-cup/fre...-cup-status-17707359

salmson wrote: Big changes to Welsh Club rugby (who cares, right?)

www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-...dical-shake-14462329

But reading down through the detail it looks like the Anglo-Welsh Cup is getting the bullet (as per the B&I Cup), and that there will be U23 teams across the (home nations) Pro14 teams in what amounts to a full A league.

U23 Celtic League should benefit Connacht, having consistent competition rather than the B&I where they could be in with a table topping Championship side with loads of depth or a relegation threatened one no prepared to risk their paper thin squad. Should encourage more peripheral squad member from other provinces to move around more too if there positional gaps/opportunities in a particular province......

Imagine a small increased spend from IRFU to cover extra games is in the pipeline too..

Big changes to Welsh Club rugby (who cares, right?)

www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-...dical-shake-14462329

But reading down through the detail it looks like the Anglo-Welsh Cup is getting the bullet (as per the B&I Cup), and that there will be U23 teams across the (home nations) Pro14 teams in what amounts to a full A league.

Jonathan Davies out for six months - blow for Scarlets.

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/wales-cen...six-months-1.3291270

That's the township stadium rather than the city one, SARU brought a few rugby events there earlier this year and they sold out, so hopefully a massive atmosphere uplift.

I notice Kings' game against Ulster at the weekend is in the smaller Isaac Wolfson Stadium. Dunno if there's anything to read into that. Their subsequent games are all still scheduled for Nelson Mandela Bay. Tickets are R20!

Mark Mostyn wrote: The Ospreys showed against Saracens there that they won't be at the bottom of our conference for long.

We only lost by 6 points in our opening game against Saracen's in the 13/14 HC. We all know how the return fixture turned out. Unfortunately one reasonable performance does not fix or turn a season.
7 losses in a row (all competitions) and 9 out of their last 10 games is not going to be easily fixed. Let's see what happens next Fri when they play the Dragon's.
Zebre play the Cheetahs and Cardiff play Scarlets next weekend so we are still only 1 win away from getting back in the running for that 3rd automatic qualifications spot in our Conference and with 2 win's now under our belt, you never know what might happen in the Sportsground over the next 2 weeks.

The Ospreys showed against Saracens there that they won't be at the bottom of our conference for long.

The crap that the PRO14 would get I don't think it would be with it! I doubt they will get 3rd anyway, they have been playing since JAN 2017 and it will catch up with them come the business end of the season.

Fourdogs wrote: Zebre beat Southern King tonight by 26 points
43 to 17 in South Africa

We only managed a 22 points win at home.

Leinster only beat them by 20 odd points also, doubt it means much.

EnricoPalazzo wrote:

salmson wrote: SA teams can't qualify for Europe at present, so that's how it would work alright.

There is no guarantee that this will still be the case by the time we get to the business end of the year. Its only a matter of money!

I'm pretty sure they can't/won't change the qualification rules mid-way through the season though.

Zebre beat Southern King tonight by 26 points
43 to 17 in South Africa

We only managed a 22 points win at home.

salmson wrote: SA teams can't qualify for Europe at present, so that's how it would work alright.

There is no guarantee that this will still be the case by the time we get to the business end of the year. Its only a matter of money!

SA teams can't qualify for Europe at present, so that's how it would work alright.

Was speculating on this - If Cheetahs finish above us - 3rd for example and we are 4th - do we get the Champions cup slot?

Apologies if I am confusing matters!

Magpie wrote: Delighted for them, you could see in the Ulster game they were dangerous with the ball, but they lacked discipline and looked like strangers when defending. This has tightened and they will be a great addition. Unfortunately they are in our conference.

Con: we play them twice.
Pros: they could take points from ospreys, cardiff etc. and if they get top 3 they don't go through to champions cup so we could benefit if we can keep up with them.