1
Super Cup: Rugby Europe release more details on rugby's newest club comp
Rugby Europe have unveiled the calendar of the first season of the Super Cup, the first ever club competition solely for emerging rugby unions in Europe.
ADVERTISEMENT
Starting in September 2021, the annual club competition will see a mix of professional club and franchise teams battling it out for the Super Cup title through an exciting competition format.
The eight teams are deployed in an Eastern and Western conference for the initial round-robin stage. Each participant will play home and away-fixtures in six rounds of action played between September and December.
The much-anticipated competition will begin with an all-Russian derby in Round 1 with Enisei-STM hosting Lokomotiv Penza. The opening weekend will also see the Portugese outfit, Lusitanos, entertain their Spanish rivals, Castilla y Leon Iberians and Dutch team Delta welcome the Brussels Devils to Amersfoort.
All 27 matches of the competition will be filmed and widely broadcast on TV and digital platforms throughout Europe and the world.
At its launch earlier this year, Rugby Europe described the Super Cup as a chance to “create a high-performance pathway for the development of pan-European rugby talent, that will be reflected in the competitiveness of the club and franchise teams, as well as in the Rugby Europe National Teams level of performance.”
“In future years, it is Rugby Europe’s ambition to extend the Super Cup to new teams and new countries to increase the standards of the game, on and off the field, across the Continent and strengthen the player pathway of the national teams.”
ADVERTISEMENT
MATCH SCHEDULE POOL PHASE:
ROUND 1
Delta – Brussels Devils
Sat 18th Sep – 15:30 (CET)
Lusitanos – Castilla y Leon Iberians
Sat 18th Sep – 18.00 (CET)
Enisei-STM – Lokomotiv Penza
Sun 19th Sep – 13.00 (CET)
Black Lion – Tel-Aviv Heat
Sat 16th Oct* – 15.00 (CET)
*This match has been postponed due to travel restrictions
ROUND 2
Lokomotiv Penza – Enisei-STM
Sat 25th Sep – 15:30 (CET)
Brussels Devils – Delta
Sat 25th Sep – 18.00 (CET)
Castilla y Leon Iberians – Lusitanos
Sun 26th Sep – 12.00pm (CET)
Tel-Aviv Heat – Black Lion
Sat 18th December – 19.00 (CET)
*This match has been postponed due to travel restrictions
ROUND 3
Enisei-STM – Tel-Aviv Heat
Sat 23th Oct – 13:30 (CET)
Delta – Lusitanos
Sat 23th Oct – 15:30 (CET)
Lokomotiv Penza – Black Lion
Sat 23th Oct – 17:30 (CET)
Brussels Devils – Castilla y Leon Iberians
ADVERTISEMENT
Sun 24th Oct – 12:30pm (CET)
ROUND 4
Enisei-STM – Black Lion
Sat 30th Oct – 11.00 (CET)
Brussels Devils – Lusitanos
Sat 30th Oct – TBC
Delta – Castilla y Leon Iberians
Sat 30th Oct at 15.00 (CET)
Lokomotiv Penza – Tel-Aviv Heat
Sun 31st Oct – TBC
ROUND 5
Black Lion – Lokomotiv Penza
Sat 4th Dec – 13.00 (CET)
Lusitanos – Brussels Devils
Sat 4th Dec – 16.00 (CET)
Tel-Aviv Heat – Enisei-STM
Sat 4th Dec – 19.00 (CET)
Castilla y Leon Iberians- Delta
Sun 5th Dec – 12:30pm (CET)
ROUND 6
Castilla y Leon Iberians – Brussels Devils
Sat 11th Dec – 12.00pm (CET)
Black Lion – Enisei-STM
Sat 11th Dec – 14.00 (CET)
Lusitanos – Delta
Sat 11th Dec – 16.00 (CET)
Tel-Aviv Heat – Lokomotiv Penza
Sat 11th Dec – 19.00 (CET)
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL:
At the end of the pool stage, the top two teams of each conference will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be played during April 2022, with the conference winners hosting the ties.
The Final will take place in May 2022 to crown the inaugural winner of the Rugby Europe Super Cup.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda 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. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad.
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.
2 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 comments