2018-2019 Champions Cup

Synode

No, not unless Glasgow also beat Saracens

Eod100

Quint2010 wrote: »

If Munster beat Edinburgh would they have a home semi?

No.

munsterlegend

Synode wrote: »

I think Edinburgh will beat Munster at home. Pretty handily

Define handily?! Edinburgh would struggle big time and failed in my view to have topped a group with Exeter in it. Probably be more Munster fans at it than Edinburgh so home advantage not that big a deal.

Eod100

KNOCKOUT STAGE
2.4 The clubs ranked 1 to 4 will have home advantage for the quarter-finals as follows:
Club 1 v Club 8 (QF1)
Club 4 v Club 5 (QF2)
Club 3 v Club 6 (QF3)
Club 2 v Club 7 (QF4)

The winner of QF1 will play the winner of QF2 in one semi-final, and the winner of QF3 will play the winner of QF4 in the other semi-final as follows:

Semi-final 1: winner QF1 v winner QF2
Semi-final 2: winner QF3 v winner QF4

The semi-final matches will be played at venues designated by EPCR, and the highest-ranked clubs from the pool stage will have home country advantage in their respective semi-final matches:

(a) For Semi-final 1

If the clubs ranked 1 and 4 win their QFs, the club ranked 1 will have home country

If the clubs ranked 1 and 5 win their QFs, the club ranked 1 will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 8 and 4 win their QFs, the club ranked 4 will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 8 and 5 win their QFs, the club ranked 5 will have home country advantage

(b) For Semi-final 2

If the clubs ranked 3 and 2 win their QFs, the club ranked 2 will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 3 and 7 win their QFs, the club ranked 3 will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 6 and 2 win their QFs, the club ranked 2 will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 6 and 7 win their QFs, the club ranked 6 will have home country advantage

Synode

munsterlegend wrote: »

Define handily?! Edinburgh would struggle big time and failed in my view to have topped a group with Exeter in it. Probably be more Munster fans at it than Edinburgh so home advantage not that big a deal.

Edinburgh are playing some great rugby at the minute. Munster aren't. Far too one dimensional. Maybe Munster will rise to the occasion but based on current form I think it will be an easy win for Edinburgh

Quint2010

Munster will find a way to beat Edinburgh

bilston

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

If Toulouse get a bonus point win they will go above Ulster to 6th,
We all expect Leinster to win and get to 3rd.
3rd will play 6th.

Ah...I didn't realise Leinster were 6 points behind Racing

Jump_In_Jack

Munster beat them 44-14 in Cork a few months ago, Edinburgh put out a B team though.
Edinburgh seemed to be lacking depth a few months ago and lost to some poor teams in the Pro14. They’ve really turned it around by beating Glasgow twice over Christmas.
Munster are still doing better than them in the Pro14, top of Conference A on 44 points, winning 9 from 13, while Edinburgh are joint second in Conference B on 35 points, winning 7 from 13.

Munster beat them in Thomond in the Pro14 playoff to qualify for the semi-final last season.
Edinburgh are playing well in the last month, but Munster are certainly capable of beating them.
Edinburgh having home advantage makes it a 50/50 in my opinion.
If Munster had home advantage I’d say it would probably be 60/40 for Munster.

The 1/4 finals will be end of March, a lot can change by then, injuries and form, but with Munster’s depth and overall quality in their squad I’d expect them to be in good shape and to be peaking by then.

DGRulz

I suppose it has to be remembered that there's a 6 Nations between now and the quarters. How teams come out the other side will play it's part. That I can think of, Embra doesn't contribute too many players to the national team, do they? Munster have 4 definite starters in the Ireland squad and a couple who have a good chance of benching.

Squidgy Black

DGRulz wrote: »

I suppose it has to be remembered that there's a 6 Nations between now and the quarters. How teams come out the other side will play it's part. That I can think of, Embra doesn't contribute too many players to the national team, do they? Munster have 4 definite starters in the Ireland squad and a couple who have a good chance of benching.

They've 12 players in the squad this year.

Eod100

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

So is the semi going to be Racing v Leinster if all goes to plan? Saracens v Munster possibly in Twickenham? Where would Racing play?

Yup. For a sf maybe Bordeaux again?

Quint2010

They should really play the last round of games at the same time. It'll never happen but would keep things in suspense for a while longer.

Eod100

Quint2010 wrote: »

They should really play the last round of games at the same time. It'll never happen but would keep things in suspense for a while longer.

As in all the games at exact same time? Could only watch 1 game live then so BT would miss out massively on viewers

Peregrine

Quint2010 wrote: »

They should really play the last round of games at the same time. It'll never happen but would keep things in suspense for a while longer.

Showing ten games live isn't really possible.

ScrubsfanChris

Interesting to note that last years Challenge Cup finalists (Cardiff/Gloucester) finished 3rd and 4th in their respective Champions Cup pools.

Quint2010

Peregrine wrote: »

Showing ten games live isn't really possible.

BT have nine channels. There's bound to be one dead rubber? Think it's unfair on some teams.

Boscoirl

Quint2010 wrote: »

BT have nine channels. There's bound to be one dead rubber? Think it's unfair on some teams.

Most of the games involving English sides

bilston

Quint2010 wrote: »

They should really play the last round of games at the same time. It'll never happen but would keep things in suspense for a while longer.

How would playing all the games over a 2 hour period keep things in suspense longer than playing games over three days?

Even today is fairly exciting in that while we know the teams in the last 8, we still don't know who is playing who. Maybe because as an Ulster fan this is the first time I've experienced this in 4/5 years I find it more exciting.

I don't think Leinster are going to get a gimmee today at all and there are no guarantees Toulouse will get a BP win over Bath.

bilston

bilston wrote: »

How would playing all the games over a 2 hour period keep things in suspense longer than playing games over three days?

Even today is fairly exciting in that while we know the teams in the last 8, we still don't know who is playing who. Maybe because as an Ulster fan this is the first time I've experienced this in 4/5 years I find it more exciting.

I don't think Leinster are going to get a gimmee today at all and there are no guarantees Toulouse will get a BP win over Bath.

Yeah the games today are funny ones but I expect Leinster and Toulouse to go about their business effectively enough.

molloyjh

Quint2010 wrote: »

BT have nine channels. There's bound to be one dead rubber? Think it's unfair on some teams.

Even if they could utilise all 9 channels, they’d reduce the audience for each individual game reducing the advertising revenue they could bring in. A good few people would watch multiple games this weekend. Having them all on at the same time means nobody could really do that.

irishbucsfan

Quint2010 wrote: »

BT have nine channels. There's bound to be one dead rubber? Think it's unfair on some teams.

BT have nine channels and they would show premiership soccer ahead of the Champions Cup on every single one of them if they could

Eod100

Don't see it happening but am I right in thinking a freak result would see Leinster host Munster?

Gallee

Eod100 wrote: »

Don't see it happening but am I right in thinking a freak result would see Leinster host Munster?

Would the freak result be Leinster and Toulouse lose putting Munster in a home quarter? Am I reading that correctly?

Saracens -28 (pool winner)
Racing - 26 (pool winner)
Edi - 23 (pool winner)
Munster 21 (pool winner)

Leinster - 20
Toulouse - 17

Synode

irishbucsfan wrote: »

BT have nine channels and they would show premiership soccer ahead of the Champions Cup on every single one of them if they could

BT's coverage of games is excellent. Showing every game

DGRulz

The only way Leinster host Munster in the quarters is if Leinster draw with Wasps and get no bonus points or lose and get 2 bonus points. Both are pretty far down the list of what's likely to happen.

bilston

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yeah the games today are funny ones but I expect Leinster and Toulouse to go about their business effectively enough.

Yeah, in fairness I posted about this not being a gimmee for Leinster before I saw the Wasps team...

xredmanlfcx

I have 3 Airbnb's for Edinburgh for Friday 29th March to checkout on Monday 1st April that I now do not need. While it stated there was a full cancellation within 48 hours, they now will only give back 75% of what I paid, and not the 100% they promised. 3 nights, for 4 people, for about €300 (€100 a night). All 3 are located in the city centre (old town).

If anyone wants one, PM me. I'll give it for €10 off!

damianmcr

Bit foolish of you

damianmcr

damianmcr wrote: »

Bit foolish of you

:rolleyes:

Burkie1203

Are Toulouse settling for a win without a BP

Stheno

As it stands the qf is ulster. If Toulouse beat racing and we beat ulster who gets the home semi? Us based on finishing higher up the table?

eagle eye

Burkie1203 wrote:

Are Toulouse settling for a win without a BP

It looks like they were happy to but they might end up losing now. Only three points in it now.
If that was what they were after it's terrible management.

roverjoyce

Stheno wrote: »

As it stands the qf is ulster. If Toulouse beat racing and we beat ulster who gets the home semi? Us based on finishing higher up the table?

Leinsters semi final will be in France regardless of who wins between Racing and Toulouse
Munster will be in the Aviva or maybe Cork if they win

Quint2010

Someone said yesterday Toulouse might not go for a BP so as to avoid Leinster. Looks like they might have been right. Leinster v Ulster it is

bilston

roverjoyce wrote: »

Leinsters semi final will be in France regardless of who wins between Racing and Toulouse
Munster will be in the Aviva or maybe Cork if they win

"Leinster's semi final"

Haha the mocking of the rugby God's has commenced in earnest

Burkie1203

roverjoyce wrote: »

Leinsters semi final will be in France regardless of who wins between Racing and Toulouse
Munster will be in the Aviva or maybe Cork if they win

If Toulouse and Leinster win, Leinster get home country advantage as the higher seed

Exclamation Marc

roverjoyce wrote: »

Leinsters semi final will be in France regardless of who wins between Racing and Toulouse
Munster will be in the Aviva or maybe Cork if they win

That's not true.

If Toulouse beat Racing and Leinster win, the semi will be in Ireland, and as such, the Aviva.

"If the clubs ranked 3 and 7 win their QFs, the club ranked 3 will have home country advantage"

What are the quarters then?

Burkie1203

[Deleted User] wrote: »

What are the quarters then?

Sarries Glasgow
Racing Toulouse
Leinster Ulster
Embra Munster

Brewster

Quint2010 wrote: »

Someone said yesterday Toulouse might not go for a BP so as to avoid Leinster. Looks like they might have been right. Leinster v Ulster it is

The outcome was a certainty. Couple of early tries to build the lead and then stopped. No disrespect to Bath. Much better outcome for Toulouse and their fans. They will take a good crowd to Paris and have a better chance of winning.

bilston

Brewster wrote: »

The outcome was a certainty. Couple of early tries to build the lead and then stopped. No disrespect to Bath. Much better outcome for Toulouse and their fans. They will take a good crowd to Paris and have a better chance of winning.

Better outcome for Ulster as well. Realistically we are up against it whoever we play. At this way more of our fans will get to go to the match...assuming it's in the Aviva.

Brewster

bilston wrote: »

Better outcome for Ulster as well. Realistically we are up against it whoever we play. At this way more of our fans will get to go to the match...assuming it's in the Aviva.

Yeah, Leinster are overwhelming favourites but at least Ulster will bring a full strength team to Dublin in a long long time. Should be a great atmosphere, for as long as the score is tight!!

finbarrk

xredmanlfcx wrote: »

I have 3 Airbnb's for Edinburgh for Friday 29th March to checkout on Monday 1st April that I now do not need. While it stated there was a full cancellation within 48 hours, they now will only give back 75% of what I paid, and not the 100% they promised. 3 nights, for 4 people, for about €300 (€100 a night). All 3 are located in the city centre (old town).

If anyone wants one, PM me. I'll give it for €10 off!

Nobody will want to stay until Monday if it’s a Friday/ Saturday game.

Eod100

(a) For Semi-final 1

If the clubs ranked 1 (Saracens) and 4 (Edinburgh) win their QFs, the club ranked 1 (Saracens) will have home country

If the clubs ranked 1 (Saracens) and 5 (Munster) win their QFs, the club ranked (Saracens) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 8 (Glasgow) and 4 (Edinburgh) win their QFs, the club ranked 4 (Edinburgh) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 8 (Glasgow) and 5 (Munster) win their QFs, the club ranked 5 (Munster) will have home country advantage

(b) For Semi-final 2

If the clubs ranked 3 (Leinster) and 2 (Racing) win their QFs, the club ranked 2 (Racing) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 3 (Leinster) and 7 (Toulouse) win their QFs, the club ranked 3 (Leinster) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 6 (Ulster) and 2 (Racing) win their QFs, the club ranked 2 (Racing) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 6 (Ulster) and 7 (Toulouse) win their QFs, the club ranked 6 (Ulster) will have home country advantage

Synode

Eod100 wrote: »

(a) For Semi-final 1


(b) For Semi-final 2


If the clubs ranked 3 (Leinster) and 7 (Toulouse) win their QFs, the club ranked 3 (Toulouse) will have home country advantage

You should have put Leinster here

Peregrine

Eod100 wrote: »

If the clubs ranked 3 (Leinster) and 7 (Toulouse) win their QFs, the club ranked 3 (Toulouse) will have home country advantage

Leinster, you mean.

Toulouse has a better chance of beating Racing than Ulster so this has worked out quite well for Leinster. If they win their QF, they have a higher chance of getting a home semi than they would have had if Toulouse had got a BP win.

troyzer

Eod100 wrote: »

(a) For Semi-final 1

If the clubs ranked 1 (Saracens) and 4 (Edinburgh) win their QFs, the club ranked 1 (Saracens) will have home country

If the clubs ranked 1 (Saracens) and 5 (Munster) win their QFs, the club ranked (Saracens) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 8 (Glasgow) and 4 (Edinburgh) win their QFs, the club ranked 4 (Edinburgh) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 8 (Glasgow) and 5 (Munster) win their QFs, the club ranked 5 (Munster) will have home country advantage

(b) For Semi-final 2

If the clubs ranked 3 (Leinster) and 2 (Racing) win their QFs, the club ranked 2 (Racing) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 3 (Leinster) and 7 (Toulouse) win their QFs, the club ranked 3 (Toulouse) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 6 (Ulster) and 2 (Racing) win their QFs, the club ranked 2 (Racing) will have home country advantage

If the clubs ranked 6 (Ulster) and 7 (Toulouse) win their QFs, the club ranked 6 (Ulster) will have home country advantage

I presume you mean Leinster is the club ranked third.

Eod100

I do! Will edit. Tis a great way of finding typos! :P

finbarrk

Anyone know how long does it take them to announce dates and times?

Burkie1203

finbarrk wrote: »

Anyone know how long does it take them to announce dates and times?

Thursday apparently