The panic button the EPCR may well end up pushing - Andy Goode
We all knew Covid disruption was likely again in the Champions Cup this season and it’s anyone’s guess when these latest postponed games can be replayed but common sense has to prevail.
Last season’s pool stages were called off early and the same could happen this time around but that is a complicated decision and a route that the organisers obviously only want to go down as a last resort.
The number of cases in the UK associated with the new Omicron variant only started increasing significantly in the last few days and the French government have only just decided to impose travel restrictions from midnight on Saturday, so EPCR were no doubt hoping to get through this weekend and reassess.
That hasn’t happened and there are only a limited number of weekends available to the Champions Cup organisers and no more room in a packed rugby calendar, so I’ve no idea when they are planning to reschedule these Round 2 games.
The possibility of taking a break for a couple of weeks to see how things pan out, a sort of circuit-breaker as it has been called, will be being discussed by Premiership Rugby as it is in football and other sports but this is all too new for that to have been an option for EPCR.
I know there have been a number of positive tests in the Ospreys camp but the news that their game at Racing 92 was being cancelled, with five points being awarded to the Top 14 side, came just a couple of hours before it was announced that games between French and UK teams were being rescheduled so they might be asking whether that one can now be replayed.
Leinster were also up in arms about the fact that they were getting nothing and the full five points were being awarded to Montpellier so, even though their situation is different as games between Irish and French sides are still going ahead as things stand, they’re likely to be investigating whether this could change things for them.
They had a number of positive Covid cases in their ranks, though, and Montpellier boss Philippe Saint-Andre questioned whether the front row options available to them were up to scratch as well so I’m not sure it will change for them.
You can understand Leinster being frustrated to a certain extent as they have a massive squad of players at their disposal and feel the game could have gone ahead but player safety has to be paramount and I think their response to the cancellation was disappointing.
I think the statement they put out overstepped the mark and it does get to the stage where playing a game of rugby probably isn’t the right thing to do, aside from the fact that it really isn’t that important in the grand scheme of things.
Let’s not forget as well that Leinster’s Round of 16 tie against Toulon in April was called off at the last minute and they got a bye straight through to the quarter-finals, where they were fresh after a week off and beat Exeter at Sandy Park.
These are tough times that we’re living in at the moment and sometimes things go for you and sometimes they go against you but no risks should be taken when it comes to looking after the health and well-being of the players and their families and friends.
As EPCR point out, this isn’t about apportioning blame but they do have to follow the procedures that have been put in place and agreed by all teams and that means Montpellier got the points in this instance.
When it comes to French teams not fulfilling fixtures against those from the UK because of the rules imposed by their government this weekend, initially I expected the opposition to be awarded the full five points and a 28-0 win but this is similar to what happened last season and a new solution must now be sought.
To be honest, I don’t see when these rescheduled Round 2 matches can be played and the next couple of rounds are only four and five weeks away respectively, so it’s hugely doubtful whether all the games in those rounds will be able to take place as well.
The organisers say “the intention is to reschedule” but that may well change in due course.
There’s a bit of water to go under the bridge yet but it does seem most likely that the pool stage will be curtailed again, perhaps with the weekend of April 8/9/10 utilised for some sort of qualifying round for a Round of 16 the following week as opposed to having the planned two-legged Round of 16 ties.
That is for EPCR to determine in the days and weeks to come but, for now, common sense has to prevail. It’s right to call matches off this weekend and the welfare of the players and their loved ones comes first.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments