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URC 2022 Thread

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    #572
    Ciaran
    Registered Users Posts: 915 ✭✭✭Ciaran


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120479977#Comment_120479977

    There's an excellent chance that Glasgow will have nothing to play for in the last game. They can't catch Ulster and Munster can't catch them already. All that could have to play for is catching the Stormers for third but that would require the Stormers to lose to both Munster and Treviso at home which seems unlikely.

    With the Challenge Cup semi final the week after, Connacht could get some luck and play a weaker Glasgow team than usual.



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    #573
    connachta
    Registered Users Posts: 7,965 ✭✭✭connachta


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120480746#Comment_120480746

    Can't catch Stormers (number of wins)

    So yes Connacht will face A

    It's up to them to deserve Champîons Cup now, can't complain the fate is too much against us, this compensate the unfair rule/Leinster A vs Bullls



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    #574
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,804 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120480806#Comment_120480806

    As of right now, before Stormers play Munster, Glasgow could pass out Stormers. However, I can't see it happening.

    If Connacht win tonight, Benetton will be out of the running to make the top 8 so they will put out their seconds against the Stormers in the final round and save themselves for their Challenge Cup semi-final against Toulon away. So Stormers would pick up an easy win last round.

    It's likely that Stormers will win today and put it beyond Glasgow.

    Connacht should be facing the Glasgow seconds next week is the point anyway.



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    #575
    CatFromHue
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,165 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    Just checked and Zebre haven't won a game at all this season and only managed one win last season! That's in both the URC and Europe!



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    #576
    ClanofLams
    Registered Users Posts: 4,224 ✭✭✭ClanofLams


    Some win for Leinster, they’re never dead. Gives a bit of hope Bulls won’t get it all their own way next week too although Leinster will need to be a fair bit better.

    On another note, is Jamie Heaslip paying homage to old boy bands or something, some bit of gear on him!



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    #577
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users Posts: 7,814 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    I see JJ Hanrahan doesn't seem to be starting for the Dragons lately. Think he is in the first year of a 3 year contract there. Bit of a mess with so many players leaving Wales.

    The Welsh teams will have 60 or 70 points put on them regularly next season. WRU really haven't sorted things out.

    Think I also read somewhere that a lot of amature players in the club game in Wales are getting money as the WRU funding allows cash to flow down to amature clubs who then give it to players while the guys in the pro game can't get paid enough. Mess.



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    #578
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,804 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120482382#Comment_120482382

    JJ is just after a surgical procedure, he’ll be back for pre-season.



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    #579
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,778 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120482382#Comment_120482382

    Some players were on north of 250k Sterling, were offered new deals worth 30-40k sterling


    WRU blazers looking after the amateur game. Their income is on a par with IRFU but how they spend is is very different.



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    #580
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users Posts: 7,814 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    Not sure if he would be starting though. I think that Angus O'Brien was in the 10 shirt for a while and JJ was at 12 in a game I saw.

    Anyway hopefully he can get back to form. Pro game isn't easy and you need luck with injuries. Himself and Carberry just got injured when they were getting going.

    Looking at the game today too it is a shame to see Ben Healy going away. He made the difference when he came on as Crowley was out of sorts though I think Healy's defence could be improved.



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    #581
    Ben Bailey
    Registered Users Posts: 675 ✭✭✭Ben Bailey


    When was the last time all four Provinces won with bonus points ?.



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    #582
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,644 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120482725#Comment_120482725

    11 weeks ago



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    #583
    stephen_n
    Registered Users Posts: 12,920 ✭✭✭✭stephen_n


    If Ospreys beat Cardiff without a bonus and Edinburgh get 2 bonus points off Ulster. All 4 Welsh regions will finish bottom of the table, with only Zebre below them. That would be a fairly damning indictment of the state of Welsh club rugby.



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    #584
    Eod100
    Registered Users Posts: 11,793 ✭✭✭✭Eod100


    Has there been any word on the final venue yet? Or is it like last year the highest rank team going into the final gets home advantage?



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    #585
    bilston
    Registered Users Posts: 17,805 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120483264#Comment_120483264

    And that's before they trim their squads back for next season.

    They desperately need a new golden generation of youngsters to emerge



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    #586
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,804 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    The whole league would be better off without Zebre and without Dragons.

    A 14 team league, and copy the format of the Top 14.

    More rugby, fairer, and less whipping boys.



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    #587
    Lost Ormond
    Registered Users Posts: 4,103 ✭✭✭Lost Ormond


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120484026#Comment_120484026

    Teams dont want a format with that much extra rugby. Less teams in some of the other countries wouldnt be good either.



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    #588
    Shehal
    Registered Users Posts: 2,725 ✭✭✭Shehal


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120483264#Comment_120483264

    But apparently its all the URC's fault...



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    #589
    Digifriendly
    Registered Users Posts: 4,050 ✭✭✭Digifriendly


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120483264#Comment_120483264

    You need a comma rather than a full stop at end of your first sentence. Also bottom of the table means bottom of the table so Zebre are bottom.

    Apart from that you're spot on re Welsh regions. Apart from Scarlets, they were not at all competitive last weekend. Watched Scrum V and those in studio tried to take positives from the 3 hammerings and even play up this weekend's Judgment Day at Millenium Stadium but they failed miserably.



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    #590
    stephen_n
    Registered Users Posts: 12,920 ✭✭✭✭stephen_n


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494099#Comment_120494099

    Zebre have won one game in the last 2 seasons. They don’t really count in any significant way. If Zebre ever finish above any team, it will a sad day for whoever that is.



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    #591
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,804 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494346#Comment_120494346

    I wonder what it would take for Cheetahs to be added and for Zebre to be dropped. As per previous post I think Dragons and Zebre should both be cut, but perhaps their Unions won't allow it.

    Would be much better to have Cheetahs instead of Zebre, but the geographic shields would be messed up then.



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    #592
    pickarooney
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,472 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Is it a conscious decision by the FIR to load Benetton so as to have one competitive team and leave Zebre with the dregs or is it just a failure of their academy, coaches etc.?

    It would surely be in the best interests of Italian rugby to have a meaningful rivalry with big derby matches.



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    #593
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,083 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494441#Comment_120494441

    Benetton are privately owned. Zebre are union owned. The Benetton group are richer than the FIR.



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    #594
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494392#Comment_120494392

    Nah, disagree. You'd end up with a scenario where there's only one club side in Italy - a huge, growing market actually in Europe.

    It would exacerbate the travel issues team have by adding even more games in SA to the calendar, and strengthen the argument for SA in the Six Nations, something I wouldn't want to see happen.



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    #595
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,804 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494514#Comment_120494514

    Whatever about Zebre, if the Italian Union insists on having them then fair enough, and they may eventually win a few matches, but the Welsh Union are probably in more danger of losing one of their regions, so we may need another team from somewhere. Maybe Ealing Trailfinders would join with Ospreys or one of the other regions and solve that one though.



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    #596
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494526#Comment_120494526

    Yeah, there was a lot of talk about that potential Ealing - Ospreys merger, but it seems to have fallen away, and apparently the Welsh have been told it isn't happening. Logistically, you'd think they'd really need to get cracking quickly to have that side in the URC next season.



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    #597
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494551#Comment_120494551

    The one thing about all the agreed upon changes in Welsh rugby is that there will be a period of onboarding throughout which major decisions may not happen.

    As close as Zebre have come to a few wins this season, 1 win in two years just isn't good enough and there needs to be a serious conversation happening there as it's diminishing the league.



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    #598
    Former Former Former
    Registered Users Posts: 6,028 ✭✭✭Former Former Former


    Whatever you want to say about Zebre on the field, they are a stable entity with sustainable financial backing. The URC is not in a position to be throwing out any team that meets those criteria. Besides, the Italian union (owner of Zebre) is an equal partner in the league. They're not going anywhere.



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    #599
    CIARAN_BOYLE
    Registered Users Posts: 14,599 ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494486#Comment_120494486

    Fir actually gives the same funding to both teams despite only owning Zebre.


    Benetton have about double the matchday income as Zebre and funding from the Benetton family as extras.



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    #600
    ersatz
    Registered Users Posts: 1,524 ✭✭✭ersatz


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120494392#Comment_120494392

    If we have really bad teams in the URC I'd prefer they come from 6N unions rather than SA. At least there is some development of the game in Europe involved.



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    #601
    Dubinusa
    Registered Users Posts: 8,581 ✭✭✭Dubinusa


    Zebre are muck. Just when I think they're getting somewhere, they crap the bed

    Dragons are strange. Decent squad, probably poor coaching? All the regions have been poor. Dragons are pretty good at being awful.



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