Champions' Cup Quarter finals 2024

[Robespierre]

Saturday 13th:

Bordeaux/Bègles v Harlequins - For B/B, Damian Penaud may not be fit, prop Jefferson Poirot (a splendid name!) is definitely out but fly half Matthieu Jalibert is available for selection.

Leinster v La Rochelle - no selection news yet

Northampton v Bulls - ..

Sunday 14th:

Toulouse v Exeter - Thomas Ramos will be available for Toulouse. Romain Ntamack came through last Sunday's match against Racing unscathed and is also available for selection. The forecast is warm (26C) and sunny, so shirtsleeves and sunglasses for my seat in the stand! Can't wait!

[Rugbygramps]

If your Toulouse and Bordeaux both win, where would the semi final be held Robes

[Robespierre]

If your Toulouse and Bordeaux both win, where would the semi final be held Robes

I think that that match would be in Toulouse as Toulouse were seeded 1st after the pool matches.

[Tiglon]

Apparently there are rumours that Bulls are leaving a lot of their stars at home for the QF.

Shame if true.

[TigerFeetSteve]

If your Toulouse and Bordeaux both win, where would the semi final be held Robes

I think that that match would be in Toulouse as Toulouse were seeded 1st after the pool matches.

I think that semifinals are only home country advantage. So home match for Leinster only home country otherwise

[Rugbygramps]

If your Toulouse and Bordeaux both win, where would the semi final be held Robes

I think that that match would be in Toulouse as Toulouse were seeded 1st after the pool matches.

I think I’m right in saying they have played games at the other stadium in Toulouse that isn’t their normal home ground

[Robespierre]

Just read this on Midi Olympique:

All the possible scenarios for the semi finals on April 3/4/5:

Toulouse v Bordeaux/Bègles or Harlequins at the Toulouse Football Stadium (capacity 33,150)
Leinster v Northampton or Bulls at Croke Park (82,300)
Northampton v La Rochelle at Stadium MK Milton Keynes (30,500)
Bordeaux/Bègles v Exeter at Matmut Bordeaux (42,100)
Harlequins v Exeter at Ashton Gate Bristol (27,000)
Bulls v La Rochelle tbc somewhere in the UK

[Flash]

Apparently there are rumours that Bulls are leaving a lot of their stars at home for the QF.

Shame if true.

I saw a story that the team have to travel over on about 8 different flights, all at different time
Not ideal prep.

[Robespierre]

Apparently there are rumours that Bulls are leaving a lot of their stars at home for the QF.

Shame if true.

I saw a story that the team have to travel over on about 8 different flights, all at different time
Not ideal prep.

Yes, Bulls from Pretoria that just confirms the lunacy why Saffer sides are in this European tournament, so if they’re eliminated - too bad!

[Tigers86asw]

Does anyone else feel that one of the best sports in the world is run by idiots? I just look at so many competitions and think- what on earth are you doing?

[sam16111986]

Apparently there are rumours that Bulls are leaving a lot of their stars at home for the QF.

Shame if true.

I saw a story that the team have to travel over on about 8 different flights, all at different time
Not ideal prep.

Yes, Bulls from Pretoria that just confirms the lunacy why Saffer sides are in this European tournament, so if they’re eliminated - too bad!

It's because they had to book the flights after their game but until Saints Vs Munster had finished didn't know where to fly to. That and they wanted to fly everybody business class.

If the Bulls are leaving that many internationals at home then they should be fined. Bringing the competition into disrepute.

[Old Hob]

Does anyone else feel that one of the best sports in the world is run by idiots? I just look at so many competitions and think- what on earth are you doing?

See the thread on the World Club Championship for confirmation.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Saints vs Bulls 2nd team

https://twitter.com/TightFive_Rugby/sta ... yYwBQ&s=19

[Rozza]

On the Lenny/Dan podcast Dan sad that if the quarter final had been Stormers v Tigers, Tigers would have to fly Dublin - Birmingham - Bordeaux - Doha -Cape Town. What a nightmare that would have been!

[GB72]

On the Lenny/Dan podcast Dan sad that if the quarter final had been Stormers v Tigers, Tigers would have to fly Dublin - Birmingham - Bordeaux - Doha -Cape Town. What a nightmare that would have been!

This is where the tournament organisers need to be involved. If they want SA teams in the competition and short turnarounds, they need to take the bull by the horns and have pre-arranged flight options in place to and from SA. They may not be perfect in that it may involve some internal travel first but they cannot expect clubs to be able to move an entire operation to another country so far away at short notice.

The alternative would be to give the SA teams bases in Europe for the Tournament.