Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
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Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Here are the fixtures for the first weekend of the (no longer) European Champions' Cup:
Friday 9 Dec
London Irish v Montpellier
Saturday 10 Dec
Racing v Leinster (in Le Havre)
Natal Sharks v Harlequins
Glos v Bordeaux/Bègles
Bulls v Lyon
Castres v Exeter
Clermont v Stormers
La Rochelle v Northampton
Sunday 11 Dec
Saracens v Edinburgh
Sale v Ulster
Munster v Toulouse
Ospreys v Tigers
I'm far from convinced that the inclusion of the South African sides is a good thing.
May I suggest that you all give your vote, Yes or No
Robespierre - No
Friday 9 Dec
London Irish v Montpellier
Saturday 10 Dec
Racing v Leinster (in Le Havre)
Natal Sharks v Harlequins
Glos v Bordeaux/Bègles
Bulls v Lyon
Castres v Exeter
Clermont v Stormers
La Rochelle v Northampton
Sunday 11 Dec
Saracens v Edinburgh
Sale v Ulster
Munster v Toulouse
Ospreys v Tigers
I'm far from convinced that the inclusion of the South African sides is a good thing.
May I suggest that you all give your vote, Yes or No
Robespierre - No
Semper in excretia
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Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
No. Joe Marler said it very well after the match at The Rec. We are playing in Europe next week and travelling to Natal.
Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Definite NO for me; this is sliding in a world club competition by the back door.
Omnia dicta fortiora si dicta Latina
Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
No
In my defence, I was left unsupervised….
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Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Maybe from me... it got to the point where only 2 or 3 clubs could win it, so more teams who can challenge at the top level is a good thing, not convinced this is the best way though... Only a small time difference means not much jetlag from flights...
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
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Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Have their performances in the URC suggested that they are serious contenders. Don’t follow it so no idea.TigerFeetSteve wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:19 pm Maybe from me... it got to the point where only 2 or 3 clubs could win it, so more teams who can challenge at the top level is a good thing, not convinced this is the best way though... Only a small time difference means not much jetlag from flights...
Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Yes they are good enough to go deep in the competition, for me Leinster and maybe a few French clubs would still be ahead of them but it would not be a surprise for one of them to make a semi this year.Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:29 pmHave their performances in the URC suggested that they are serious contenders. Don’t follow it so no idea.TigerFeetSteve wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:19 pm Maybe from me... it got to the point where only 2 or 3 clubs could win it, so more teams who can challenge at the top level is a good thing, not convinced this is the best way though... Only a small time difference means not much jetlag from flights...
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Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Thanks. I suppose it will also depend on what strength side they send to away fixtures toowigworth wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:32 pmYes they are good enough to go deep in the competition, for me Leinster and maybe a few French clubs would still be ahead of them but it would not be a surprise for one of them to make a semi this year.Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:29 pmHave their performances in the URC suggested that they are serious contenders. Don’t follow it so no idea.TigerFeetSteve wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:19 pm Maybe from me... it got to the point where only 2 or 3 clubs could win it, so more teams who can challenge at the top level is a good thing, not convinced this is the best way though... Only a small time difference means not much jetlag from flights...
Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Yeah but I would bet they would send decent sides as they did take quite a bit of pride of having a all SA URC final last year in their first year in the comp so I would guess they would like to give a good showing of themselves.Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:37 pmThanks. I suppose it will also depend on what strength side they send to away fixtures toowigworth wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:32 pmYes they are good enough to go deep in the competition, for me Leinster and maybe a few French clubs would still be ahead of them but it would not be a surprise for one of them to make a semi this year.Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:29 pm
Have their performances in the URC suggested that they are serious contenders. Don’t follow it so no idea.
What may be the more concerning point about SA teams in the Champions Cup is how the French teams react to playing them down in SA. Rúaidhrí O'Connor mentioned on a Off the Ball rugby show that if the French clubs suffer any of the issues some of the URC teams have faced with sickness and illness and that then impacts their Top 14 league games then the French clubs might refuse to go down there and bring the whole comp down. He did note that the French clubs were lukewarm on the SA teams joining while the Prem clubs were far more in favour.
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Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Ok that’s interesting. Willing to bet the Premiership clubs didn’t consult their players.wigworth wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:45 pmYeah but I would bet they would send decent sides as they did take quite a bit of pride of having a all SA URC final last year in their first year in the comp so I would guess they would like to give a good showing of themselves.Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:37 pmThanks. I suppose it will also depend on what strength side they send to away fixtures too
What may be the more concerning point about SA teams in the Champions Cup is how the French teams react to playing them down in SA. Rúaidhrí O'Connor mentioned on a Off the Ball rugby show that if the French clubs suffer any of the issues some of the URC teams have faced with sickness and illness and that then impacts their Top 14 league games then the French clubs might refuse to go down there and bring the whole comp down. He did note that the French clubs were lukewarm on the SA teams joining while the Prem clubs were far more in favour.
It’s also a bit of a myth that the long flights to and from South Africa don’t affect player conditioning, though to to the same effect as jet lag.
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Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
There are two key causes of jetlagRugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 5:04 pmOk that’s interesting. Willing to bet the Premiership clubs didn’t consult their players.wigworth wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:45 pmYeah but I would bet they would send decent sides as they did take quite a bit of pride of having a all SA URC final last year in their first year in the comp so I would guess they would like to give a good showing of themselves.Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:37 pm
Thanks. I suppose it will also depend on what strength side they send to away fixtures too
What may be the more concerning point about SA teams in the Champions Cup is how the French teams react to playing them down in SA. Rúaidhrí O'Connor mentioned on a Off the Ball rugby show that if the French clubs suffer any of the issues some of the URC teams have faced with sickness and illness and that then impacts their Top 14 league games then the French clubs might refuse to go down there and bring the whole comp down. He did note that the French clubs were lukewarm on the SA teams joining while the Prem clubs were far more in favour.
It’s also a bit of a myth that the long flights to and from South Africa don’t affect player conditioning, though to to the same effect as jet lag.
1. Time differences
2. Reduction in oxygen levels in the plane
Now 1. isn't really an issue with SA.
2. On std commercial planes they recirculate a percentage of the air and it means that over time the oxygen levels in the cabin reduce slightly (nowhere near dangerous levels in case people worry). However it is more expensive but possible to keep those levels higher. Certainly they do this in some chartered jets etc (they may even do it in first class on some planes etc... not sure)
So if we can afford to send the players in the right manner then jet lag and impact on conditioning is not really a concern IMO...
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
It's the Heineken Champions Cup, no reason for me why non-European teams shouldn't be included.
I just enjoy watching good rugby.
It's not good for rugby if SA declines because they can't get enough strong opposition at club level.
I just enjoy watching good rugby.
It's not good for rugby if SA declines because they can't get enough strong opposition at club level.
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Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
Not just about that but large gentleman in seats that aren’t big enough for them without the ability to move around. As I say it isn’t jet lag but travel affecting conditioning and training schedules. Anyway we digressTigerFeetSteve wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 5:34 pmThere are two key causes of jetlagRugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 5:04 pmOk that’s interesting. Willing to bet the Premiership clubs didn’t consult their players.wigworth wrote: ↑Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:45 pm
Yeah but I would bet they would send decent sides as they did take quite a bit of pride of having a all SA URC final last year in their first year in the comp so I would guess they would like to give a good showing of themselves.
What may be the more concerning point about SA teams in the Champions Cup is how the French teams react to playing them down in SA. Rúaidhrí O'Connor mentioned on a Off the Ball rugby show that if the French clubs suffer any of the issues some of the URC teams have faced with sickness and illness and that then impacts their Top 14 league games then the French clubs might refuse to go down there and bring the whole comp down. He did note that the French clubs were lukewarm on the SA teams joining while the Prem clubs were far more in favour.
It’s also a bit of a myth that the long flights to and from South Africa don’t affect player conditioning, though to to the same effect as jet lag.
1. Time differences
2. Reduction in oxygen levels in the plane
Now 1. isn't really an issue with SA.
2. On std commercial planes they recirculate a percentage of the air and it means that over time the oxygen levels in the cabin reduce slightly (nowhere near dangerous levels in case people worry). However it is more expensive but possible to keep those levels higher. Certainly they do this in some chartered jets etc (they may even do it in first class on some planes etc... not sure)
So if we can afford to send the players in the right manner then jet lag and impact on conditioning is not really a concern IMO...
Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
It's a no from me. If they want a world club challenge have one, otherwise leave it alone. I don't want to fight change, but I'd much rather go back to Cal - vis- ano !
Re: Champions Cup - Round 1 Fixtures - 09-11th December 2022
It may be the Heiniken Rugby Cup but it's organised by a European organisation, EPCR who call their secondary competition the European Challenge Cup. So it's a NO from me. It's akin to allowing Australia into the Eurovision Song Contest!
Give blood, play rugby!!