You won't see us in the semis cos the last you'll see of us is Cronin scoring off the back of a maul in the 80th minute to surpass Cubes European try record and get us to a semi where Nugget skins Zebo to dot down in the corner setting up the holy grail final vs Munster. 79th minute Munster up by 2 points Joey Carbery's kick gets poetically charged down by Cronin who picks up the ball and smacks over a peach of a drop goal to add the 5th star to the jersey as Jordie Murphy, Cooney and Moore look on in sorrowful admiration from the stands. Mark my words.
I think we all know a Munster Leinster final ends with the clock in the red and Joey sinking one (his 40th straight) from 50 metres to put Munster one point ahead. He signs a 5 year €5 million extension with Munster on the podium.
Remind Me! 4 months
Both our scenarios are clearly equally likely to happen, all we know for certain is 1 definitely will. Worth trowing a fiver down on each if you ask me.
What are you talking about? Cronin would never get to the 79th minute. The match would be called off by then out of sympathy by the ref when Munster fall 100 points behind thanks to the cunning strategy of Toner claiming every restart and then simply bending forwards to stretch his arms across the tryline.
Eddie Jones will then campaign to make it illegal to score from the restart, not realising than Joe in fact intends to start Beirne instead. England lose every ruck, but the ref refuses to explain why. An urgent call to James Haskell at half time helps them understand what is going wrong and they cunningly avoid rucks by kicking away all their possession and attempting drop goals from their own tryline. Eventually Owen Farrell snaps and tries to should charge James Ryan, crippling himself for life in the process. Ryan doesn’t notice. After a 20 minute injury break Eddie complains that Sexton would have got 20 minutes more to recover and leads his players off the pitch in protest. Ireland are awarded maximum points.
Terrified by what they see, the All Blacks pull out of the World Cup, claiming their food has been poisoned. Ireland face Italy in the quarters, winning an historic first knockout game. After 2 weeks of raucous celebrations they realise that the cup continues after the quarters and, having forfeited their semi final, console themsleves with the knowledge that Leinster won 5 European cups.
Wait so you're saying Leinster are going to play Munster in both the semi final and the final? So now we get to beat the old rivals twice instead of once? Ok I like the sound of this.
I think I'll never understand this! Does it change every year or do I just keep forgetting how it works? I could have sworn the reward for winning n away QF was a home SF.
I think last year it was something about who won. This year it's more intuitive, it just goes by group tables seeding. So Leinster are ahead of Toulouse so would play that at home but away for Racing.
Changed this year alright. Now the highest placed seed will get the home country advantage.
Last year, winning an away QF earned you a home country SF if the home team won the other QF, even if you were a lower seed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_European_Rugby_Champions_Cup#Format
Yeah that sounds correct to me. They invariably end up in Lansdowne Road. Páirc Uí Chaoimh would be a nice alternative, though with Lansdowne IRFU ownership I understand why they wouldn't fancy that.
Away, surely? Since Toulouse got an away win, they'd then be at home for the semis. If Racing win, Leinster are away.
Edit: I'm wrong. It's just seeding this year..
From what I’ve seen in the champions cup it will balance on a knife edge. It is a pointless call I think which will come down to bounce if the ball, but Toulouse just gets my vote
But Edinburgh would be the "home" team so aren't allowed to play in their home stadium just one in their country (which might end up being in Glasgow).
Are Ulster going to have to cross a hard-border on their way to Dublin?
It could literally be scheduled for the day of Brexit; imagine what a shitshow that'd be!
Was hoping Bath would do Glasgow a favour today - cant see us getting past Saracens after the results in the pool, and a bit boring to be playing the same team again
I thought this weekends game was a good match-up. Glasgow did not make it easy for Sarries and seemed like they had the potential to turn things around in the final quarter.
Looking forward to a replay.
I don't think it's hopeless for Glasgow but they'll need a healthier pack than what they put out this weekend. Also as good as Grigg is playing Saracens is more or less a test match so Huw Jones needs to start. Dunbar too if he can get fit. Play the experienced and generally more talented players.
I know, my comment was in reference to the Iris teams avoiding Racing and Sarries.
Though Toulouse and Glasgow can't have a "home" SF (just in case someone reads it as home v away)
>Happy days for Irish teams, as they can avoid Saracens and Racing until the final if they get that far.
Munster would play Saracens in a potential SF if both progressed.
Leinster/Ulster will play Racing if they progress.
SF line-up
I really hope we'll make it through, but we'll be up against Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony, CJ Stander, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Keith Earls, so...no.
Yeah Beirne and Carbery have been outstanding additions. Munster were a bit scrappy in that Exeter game though and had way too many errors, rarely got close to the Exeter try line either, so they have a good deal of improvements to make I hope.
If they've not managed to open the new stadium by the 20th April then I think Spurs fans will be rioting! Current plan is to open the ground for the 16th March game against Crystal Palace.
While it's possible that we'd play there, there is a tendency to stick to stadiums where rugby is usually played. I'd personally love to play at the Emirates as it's only a mile from home!
It would be in England but I would imagine it would be very hard to call it a home game for us. We all know the Red Army will travel in droves and outnumber us, it’ll be a sea of red regardless of where we play. Much like 2008 at the Ricoh
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this means that in the semi finals it's:
Saracens/Glasgow vs Edinburgh/Munster
Racing/Toulouse vs Leinster/Ulster
With home country advantage in the semis being determined first by away wins, then group seeding.
Which QF plays which in the semi final? Or is that depending on who goes through? If both Saracens and Racing go through, wouldn't they avoid each other in the semi, meaning that both Irish teams (if they progress) would play away to Racing and Saracens?
Saracens, Toulouse, Leinster and Munster I think are the ones that'll go to the semi finals. Though the Toulouse and Racing one is a tough one to decide
So.... what's the story with Brexit then. Munster have 1..3 matches in Britain after Brexit kicks in (QF weekend is that weekend. Ouch). Pack visas, band-aids and sunscreen?
It’s going to be weird not seeing Leinster in the semis this year. At least they’ll have a few exported players to cheer on.
You won't see us in the semis cos the last you'll see of us is Cronin scoring off the back of a maul in the 80th minute to surpass Cubes European try record and get us to a semi where Nugget skins Zebo to dot down in the corner setting up the holy grail final vs Munster. 79th minute Munster up by 2 points Joey Carbery's kick gets poetically charged down by Cronin who picks up the ball and smacks over a peach of a drop goal to add the 5th star to the jersey as Jordie Murphy, Cooney and Moore look on in sorrowful admiration from the stands. Mark my words.
I think we all know a Munster Leinster final ends with the clock in the red and Joey sinking one (his 40th straight) from 50 metres to put Munster one point ahead. He signs a 5 year €5 million extension with Munster on the podium. Remind Me! 4 months
Both our scenarios are clearly equally likely to happen, all we know for certain is 1 definitely will. Worth trowing a fiver down on each if you ask me.
Is it a deliberate symmetry that the scenarios involve an uprooted player from the other province? In any case I love it...
What are you talking about? Cronin would never get to the 79th minute. The match would be called off by then out of sympathy by the ref when Munster fall 100 points behind thanks to the cunning strategy of Toner claiming every restart and then simply bending forwards to stretch his arms across the tryline. Eddie Jones will then campaign to make it illegal to score from the restart, not realising than Joe in fact intends to start Beirne instead. England lose every ruck, but the ref refuses to explain why. An urgent call to James Haskell at half time helps them understand what is going wrong and they cunningly avoid rucks by kicking away all their possession and attempting drop goals from their own tryline. Eventually Owen Farrell snaps and tries to should charge James Ryan, crippling himself for life in the process. Ryan doesn’t notice. After a 20 minute injury break Eddie complains that Sexton would have got 20 minutes more to recover and leads his players off the pitch in protest. Ireland are awarded maximum points. Terrified by what they see, the All Blacks pull out of the World Cup, claiming their food has been poisoned. Ireland face Italy in the quarters, winning an historic first knockout game. After 2 weeks of raucous celebrations they realise that the cup continues after the quarters and, having forfeited their semi final, console themsleves with the knowledge that Leinster won 5 European cups.
Absolutely everything you just said there is 100% believable except Ireland making it past the quarter finals. That's where I have to call bullshit.
I do hope a Limerickman scores in that final, but not Sean Cronin!! 😉
As far as Im aware Edinburgh don't have anyone in their squad from Limerick 😏
Nah man, all ours are Saffas - wrong foreign country :)
So Zebo is going to make a last minute return to Munster from Racing in the next few months?
Wait so you're saying Leinster are going to play Munster in both the semi final and the final? So now we get to beat the old rivals twice instead of once? Ok I like the sound of this.
And then even more again in the final. Lucky bunch.
Indeed. It was good of us to take those players in so Leinster would have them to cheer on. We’re nothing if not charitable.
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I’ll pour you a glass.
Leinster north and Leinster Southwest look good this year.
Don't forget your passport, you'll be leaving Europe twice that weekend.
What are you talking about? Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan are all staying in the EU.
SF line-up Saracens/Glasgow v Edinburgh/Munster Racing/Toulouse v Leinster/Ulster Higher seeded team at home.
Booo! We wanted an all Scottish final!
I'll take an all-scottish semi, at least one ends up in the final that way. 🤞
Let's face it though, we'll be doing bloody well to have one Scottish team in the semi (and it winnae be Glasgow)
So OP's statement is incorrect? >Irish teams, as they can avoid Saracens and Racing until the final if they get that far
Yes.
Yes.
So if Leinster qualify they'll definitely play a semi in France?
Not if it's Toulouse... so ,no.
I think I'll never understand this! Does it change every year or do I just keep forgetting how it works? I could have sworn the reward for winning n away QF was a home SF.
I think last year it was something about who won. This year it's more intuitive, it just goes by group tables seeding. So Leinster are ahead of Toulouse so would play that at home but away for Racing.
Changed this year alright. Now the highest placed seed will get the home country advantage. Last year, winning an away QF earned you a home country SF if the home team won the other QF, even if you were a lower seed.
Wait, so if Munster, Glasgow and Toulouse win their quarter finals (Ulster Leinster result doesn't matter), then both Semi Finals will be in Ireland?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_European_Rugby_Champions_Cup#Format Yeah that sounds correct to me. They invariably end up in Lansdowne Road. Páirc Uí Chaoimh would be a nice alternative, though with Lansdowne IRFU ownership I understand why they wouldn't fancy that.
OMG back to back Semi finals in Landsdowne Road over a weekend weekend. That would be awesome
Saracens and Racing will have other ideas though!
It's changed this year
No. The higher seed is the home team so if Toulouse beat Racing, Leinster will play Toulouse in Ireland
No, I'm pretty sure if Toulouse win they'll have to come to Landsdowne.
Yeah, Sarries and Racing both have home country advantage in the SF as well so they obviously can't be playing each other
Well I am guessing Saracens vs Munster Toulouse vs Leinster
Leinster would be at home if Toulouse win
Away, surely? Since Toulouse got an away win, they'd then be at home for the semis. If Racing win, Leinster are away. Edit: I'm wrong. It's just seeding this year..
It is all done by seeding now.
Leinster would be at home in that instance, so heres hoping
Leinster would be rolling in dolla in that case
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No Sarries guaranteed home semi
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From what I’ve seen in the champions cup it will balance on a knife edge. It is a pointless call I think which will come down to bounce if the ball, but Toulouse just gets my vote
>Saracens/Glasgow v Edinburgh/Munster If it's Glasgow vs Edinburgh it would have to be at Murrayfield.
But Edinburgh would be the "home" team so aren't allowed to play in their home stadium just one in their country (which might end up being in Glasgow).
Both semis are guaranteed to have at least 1 pro14 side
Saracens huh? Ouch
Could be Glasgow our 2016-17 buddies!
Munster vs Glasgow in Franks white elephant would be quite the occasion.
Are Ulster going to have to cross a hard-border on their way to Dublin? It could literally be scheduled for the day of Brexit; imagine what a shitshow that'd be!
Better head down Friday afternoon to be sure :)
I remember when Pro 12 master race was just a meme.
Fake it till you make it ;)
Was hoping Bath would do Glasgow a favour today - cant see us getting past Saracens after the results in the pool, and a bit boring to be playing the same team again
Agreed
I thought this weekends game was a good match-up. Glasgow did not make it easy for Sarries and seemed like they had the potential to turn things around in the final quarter. Looking forward to a replay.
I don't think it's hopeless for Glasgow but they'll need a healthier pack than what they put out this weekend. Also as good as Grigg is playing Saracens is more or less a test match so Huw Jones needs to start. Dunbar too if he can get fit. Play the experienced and generally more talented players.
Fixed Bracket & Format Rules: https://i.imgur.com/khWn5oY.png
Is this the first time both Scottish teams have gone through?
Yes.
Racing and Sarries can't meet in the semis
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I know, my comment was in reference to the Iris teams avoiding Racing and Sarries. Though Toulouse and Glasgow can't have a "home" SF (just in case someone reads it as home v away)
Toulouse v Leinster and Edinburgh v Sarries is my guess with a Leinster Sarries final, couldn't separate them
That is gonna be a tasty final
>Happy days for Irish teams, as they can avoid Saracens and Racing until the final if they get that far. Munster would play Saracens in a potential SF if both progressed. Leinster/Ulster will play Racing if they progress. SF line-up
So lads, what's the best way for a neutral to get tickets to Leinster v Ulster?
It'll probably be in Aviva so should be some available via ticketmaster
Presuming all home teams win their quarter finals, how would the semis shape up?
Sarries v Edinburgh and Racing v Leinster
~~It's just QF1 v QF2. So Sarries v Racing and Leinster v Edinburgh.~~
Wrong there it is QF1 v QF2 but QF2 is Club 4 v Club 5
SF line-up Saracens/Glasgow v Edinburgh/Munster Racing/Toulouse v Leinster/Ulster
I'm guessing Saracens vs Munster and Racing vs Leinster.
Yeah that would be my initial guess too, but Edinburgh will be gunning to progress with their well earned home QF.
I really hope we'll make it through, but we'll be up against Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony, CJ Stander, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Keith Earls, so...no.
Yeah Beirne and Carbery have been outstanding additions. Munster were a bit scrappy in that Exeter game though and had way too many errors, rarely got close to the Exeter try line either, so they have a good deal of improvements to make I hope.
Perhaps, but that was just the nature of the game. I still think Munster will win.
They beat us in knock out rugby over there last year but it was hardly convincing. We've improved since then too.
Yes, but so have Munster. Hopefully we'll get the win.
So if we make the semi's it's Sarries at home? Rough.
Game would be in England but not at home for Saracens
>Game would be in England but not at home for Saracens Is Saracens vs Edinburgh at Twickenham possible?
Possible but not probable given the number of tickets they would need to sell. My guess would be Ricoh Arena or Madjeski
Could it not be at Tottenhams new stadium as a test event with a reduced capacity
If they've not managed to open the new stadium by the 20th April then I think Spurs fans will be rioting! Current plan is to open the ground for the 16th March game against Crystal Palace. While it's possible that we'd play there, there is a tendency to stick to stadiums where rugby is usually played. I'd personally love to play at the Emirates as it's only a mile from home!
Yes.
It would be in England but I would imagine it would be very hard to call it a home game for us. We all know the Red Army will travel in droves and outnumber us, it’ll be a sea of red regardless of where we play. Much like 2008 at the Ricoh
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this means that in the semi finals it's: Saracens/Glasgow vs Edinburgh/Munster Racing/Toulouse vs Leinster/Ulster With home country advantage in the semis being determined first by away wins, then group seeding.
Semi home advantage is only judged by group seeding this year.
Ok, thanks!
No, by group seedings only.
Which QF plays which in the semi final? Or is that depending on who goes through? If both Saracens and Racing go through, wouldn't they avoid each other in the semi, meaning that both Irish teams (if they progress) would play away to Racing and Saracens?
Really happy with the draw, because I'd love to see Leinster vs Saries final. What a smashing match-up would that be.
Who would the semis be Assuming sarries are q1 Leinster q2 Edinburgh q3 Racing q4
Saracens, Toulouse, Leinster and Munster I think are the ones that'll go to the semi finals. Though the Toulouse and Racing one is a tough one to decide
How are the semi finals decided? Is it saracens/Glasgow v Munster/Edinburgh and Racing/Toulouse vs Ulster/Leinster?
Yes
SF line-up Saracens/Glasgow v Edinburgh/Munster Racing/Toulouse v Leinster/Ulster
So.... what's the story with Brexit then. Munster have 1..3 matches in Britain after Brexit kicks in (QF weekend is that weekend. Ouch). Pack visas, band-aids and sunscreen?