5 talking points ahead of the European quarter-finals
European competitions take centre-stage this weekend with quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup. The games, delayed since early April because of the coronavirus pandemic, promise to produce some thrilling encounters.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the talking points.
Saracens face mission improbable
It has been a season of abject misery for the Champions Cup holders, with relegation from the Gallagher Premiership and a £5.36million fine for their punishments following repeated salary cap breaches.
They will play in the Championship next season and not return to European rugby’s blue riband knockout competition until at least 2022.
Top seeds ??
Domestic champions ?
Unbeaten this season ?Could @leinsterrugby go all the way in the #HeinekenChampionsCup?
Here are all their tastiest top tries ?? pic.twitter.com/TEgLex9k2k
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) September 15, 2020
On top of that, their fly-half talisman Owen Farrell is suspended for Saturday’s quarter-final clash against Leinster in Dublin. The odds are stacked against Saracens, but that is exactly how they like it.
Leinster look unstoppable
It is difficult to imagine Leinster not reclaiming the Champions Cup this term and securing a record fifth European crown. They are unbeaten in European and Guinness PRO14 action since losing to Saracens in last season’s final, and will play their quarter-final and possible semi-final in Dublin.
Packed with international stars and led by mercurial fly-half Johnny Sexton, they are currently setting remarkable standards of consistency and excellence.
Are Exeter ready to conquer Europe?
For a club that has featured in the last four Premiership finals at Twickenham, European success has consistently eluded Exeter. This season’s runaway league leaders and firm title favourites can reflect on just one previous quarter-final appearance, and that was in 2016 when they lost to Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.
This year, though, Rob Baxter’s men might be about to crack the code, hosting quarter-final opponents Northampton on Sunday with a semi-final against Toulouse or Ulster if they topple Saints. Potentially Leinster’s biggest threat.
French threat is a powerful one
French clubs have traditionally featured at the business end of European Cup competitions and this season is no exception with a powerful trio of Toulouse, Clermont Auvergne and Racing 92 all in quarter-final action.
Clermont and Racing face each other, guaranteeing at least one French semi-finalist, while four-times European champions Toulouse are expected to overcome Ulster. Eight of the previous 24 European finals have been won by French teams.
Bristol geared for Challenge Cup success
Bristol have already achieved stated goals of a top-six Premiership finish and qualification for next season’s Champions Cup, but there is potentially more available to them.
They face a Challenge Cup quarter-final against the Dragons on Friday at Ashton Gate, then it is Bordeaux-Begles or Edinburgh in a home semi-final if they topple the Welsh outfit. With star summer arrivals like Semi Radradra and Kyle Sinckler making their presence felt, Challenge Cup silverware could certainly end up in the west country next month.
"I definitely believe I wouldn't be the player I am if I hadn't been told from a young age I was too small"@harry_thacker talks @BristolBears , Pat Lam, leaving Leicester Tigers & the difference it makes when someone believes in you, with @heagneyl ???https://t.co/xZh0FnE9p1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 13, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to comments