Champions cup as things stand coming into the final week.

[munstermuffin]

It was my thoughts only not what is in practice,I am reflecting what happens in NFL.
Ie.
Top seeds always have home advantage from any knock out stage so if you are number 3 seed and that is top seed left you have home advantage.
Just as 5 6 7 8.could be left after QF stage.
And I believe 1 plays 8 not 5 which 4 plays.

Im on about semi finals. If 1 plays 8 and sf would be vs winner of 5v4.
If 5 beat 4 then it'd be 1v5 with 5 being at home although much other scenarios too

 

[Groundhog]

Hm I think we should clear Salaries™ point's difference provided Toulon remember they used to be a good rugby team, we should beat out Clermont if Ex hold them bonus pointless, which I think they will as it'll be a dogfight. Leinster pretty likely to grab the top spot.
Hope we don't meet Leinster until the final. I want to go celibate for as long as possible so that when we blow our load on them Edinburgh is submerged many years before global warming gets to it.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Its the hope that'll kill them!

 

[Groundhog]

Well we can agree that if it's an all Irish Final we should officially rename the tournament Heineken 'Luke Fitzgerald's career' cup sponsored by Heineken and Heineken light and Heineken.

 

[FLOBALOB]

It was my thoughts only not what is in practice,I am reflecting what happens in NFL.
Ie.
Top seeds always have home advantage from any knock out stage so if you are number 3 seed and that is top seed left you have home advantage.
Just as 5 6 7 8.could be left after QF stage.
And I believe 1 plays 8 not 5 which 4 plays.

I think thats over rewarding the top seeded teams by getting 2 home ties in QF and SF.
OK , they get a home draw for QF but thats where any advantage should end.
If seed 8 beat seed 1 in QF it is a bit unfair that they should automatically get another away tie in SF.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think thats over rewarding the top seeded teams by getting 2 home ties in QF and SF.
OK , they get a home draw for QF but thats where any advantage should end.
If seed 8 beat seed 1 in QF it is a bit unfair that they should automatically get another away tie in SF.

They don't that's the beauty. It gives even the lower seeds a big incentive

 

[FLOBALOB]

They don't that's the beauty. It gives even the lower seeds a big incentive

I know - I was replying to duncanb saying they should.
Pay attention please.

 

[Groundhog]

ECPR on Croker as a possible semi venue.
"It is very interesting and I certainly think that we should go for the best possible solution.


If you have an all-Irish semi-final and we knew there was demand for the type of crowd that would fill Croke Park, why wouldn't we?


I must tell you I haven't investigated it yet, but it certainly is an amazing place. If we could I think it would be a wonderful thing."
Croke Park hype train. All aboard choo choo, no foreigners allowed though.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

ECPR on Croker as a possible semi venue.
"It is very interesting and I certainly think that we should go for the best possible solution.


If you have an all-Irish semi-final and we knew there was demand for the type of crowd that would fill Croke Park, why wouldn't we?


I must tell you I haven't investigated it yet, but it certainly is an amazing place. If we could I think it would be a wonderful thing."
Croke Park hype train. All aboard choo choo, no foreigners allowed though.

That pic = happiness!

"O'Driscoll running to the posts, he may be running towards the final".

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I see Picamoles is on Holiday.

Saints taking the final game very seriously it seems.....

 

[gaston le gaff]

well what would you expect, bet he's here on Friday if it's only to see his parents, no doubt i will catch up with him.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

well what would you expect, bet he's here on Friday if it's only to see his parents, no doubt i will catch up with him.

If you see him could you ask him why he joined the crap East Midlands team?

 

[corny]

ECPR on Croker as a possible semi venue.
"It is very interesting and I certainly think that we should go for the best possible solution.


If you have an all-Irish semi-final and we knew there was demand for the type of crowd that would fill Croke Park, why wouldn't we?


I must tell you I haven't investigated it yet, but it certainly is an amazing place. If we could I think it would be a wonderful thing."
Croke Park hype train. All aboard choo choo, no foreigners allowed though.

Ordinarily the semi final dates would clash with the League final dates. However, i think the GAA are condensing the League fixtures this year so that the it finishes up by early April. It could work but i doubt it'll happen.

 

[gaston le gaff]

i know why as i see his parents quite often. he just wanted a change in life as he has family in the UK, he thought the best offer for him and his family was Nothampton, although he's on a good salary i think the change of life was the main reason without going to far from home. He did Montpellier most of his younger life then Toulouse now Northampton and i did see him after the Saints v us game this season and he said he and his family were very happy bunnies. Northampton are not great this season but they are far from a bad side but i expect that from a Tigers supporter. I would say the same about Beziers if they were in the TOP 14.

 

[corny]

So assuming Toulouse and Wasps do what they really should it'll be

1. Clermont
2. Munster
3. Saracens
4. Leinster
5. Wasps
6. Toulouse
7. Glasgow
8. Toulon

So

Clermont V Toulon
Munster V Glasgow
Saracens V Toulouse
Leinster V Wasps

All competitive games. No gimmes.

 

[Groundhog]

I'd rather any other team from 5-8 besides Glasgow all joking aside.

 

[munstermuffin]

So assuming Toulouse and Wasps do what they really should it'll be

1. Clermont
2. Munster
3. Saracens
4. Leinster
5. Wasps
6. Toulouse
7. Glasgow
8. Toulon

So

Clermont V Toulon
Munster V Glasgow
Saracens V Toulouse
Leinster V Wasps

All competitive games. No gimmes.

Is this correct as I though I heard we could get Toulon or Toulouse. I may be wrong.

Glasgow is 1 team I probably don't want

Leinster probably got blessed by last night.
Wasps home and if they win ilI believe they'd fancy Clermont neutrally in France

 

[Groundhog]

I think we'd do unholy things to Tolouse and Toulon my days.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lets not forget Connacht only need 1 point

 

[munstermuffin]

So I may be wrong but it seems we will play Glasgow unless Toulouse win by 31 points.

On fixture side obviously this is presumption BUT

Munster v Glasgow on Friday night
Sarries vs ?? Sat at 3
Leinster vs Wasps in evening
Clermont vs Toulon on Sunday

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Dream!
Toulon v Leinster
Sarries v Munster

Leinster v Munster

Toulouse you have a peer!

 

[munstermuffin]

Dream!
Toulon v Leinster
Sarries v Munster

Leinster v Munster

Toulouse you have a peer!

Can you see Toulon beating Clermont?

And if it's Munster vs Sarries it'd be in Aviva.
Do think Leinster have a psychological hold over Clermont and if they met in semi they'd beat them

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Can you see Toulon beating Clermont?

And if it's Munster vs Sarries it'd be in Aviva.
Do think Leinster have a psychological hold over Clermont and if they met in semi they'd beat them

Notice the word dream!

If we have Sexton we'll beat Wasps. If we have Carbery we're favourites. After that its anyone's guess. I don't see a province in the final.

 

[Groundhog]

Chuffed with that, all the Pro 12 teams avoid each other, and I seriously expect to beat Tolouse as they came through a group with Connacht and Zebre. We gonna renaissance them hard.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'll say it now. I fancy we can win it out. If we have full fitness. I'd fancy us to beat Toulouse and Sarries if it was in HQ. If Glasgow beat Sarries I'd gancy them to win it out.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Wasps won 6-33 on their last visit to Dublin in October 2015 and 51-10 in their last meeting with Leinster only 12 months ago. They won't fear coming to the RDS or Aviva Stadium.

I fancy Clermont and Munster to win easily. The other two games should be a lot closer.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Not happy with Wasps but they've been poor away so I think we'll win. Clermont's tournament to lose.

 

[Groundhog]

Someone explain semi-final selection to me please it make no sense beyond teams who win away quarter finals are likely to have a semi at home.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Someone explain semi-final selection to me please it make no sense beyond teams who win away quarter finals are likely to have a semi at home.

QFs are paired, Munster's with Sarries and Clermont's with Leinster's. If both home teams win the higher seed is at home and if one away side win they get a home semi and if both do the higher seed gets it.

 

[munstermuffin]

Someone explain semi-final selection to me please it make no sense beyond teams who win away quarter finals are likely to have a semi at home.

Right.
Munster vs Toulouse winners play
Sarries vs Glasgow

If Mun v Sarries sf it in Dublin
If Mun v Gla it in Scotland
If Toulouse v Gla/Sarries it in France

Same logic other side
Mun=Clermont
Toulouse = Toulon
Sarries =Leinster
Glasgow = Wasps