Scarlets v Toulon

What a game this is! Utterly bonkers.

17-15 Scarlets after 22 minutes.

Have to say I didn’t expect much when I switched on 10 minutes ago but there is some actual rugby being played there

Great to see the stadium full too

This is a crazy game!

Lots of attacking intent from Scarlets but Toulon showing no intensity in defence - all a bit too easy

Really enjoyable half.

Toulon going into grind them down mode.

Scarlets need to keep the game open

Great shift Scarlets, well played.

Huge win!

Great win for Scarlets

Good to see them being able to dig it out as well as play the fancy stuff

They have got Ashton to thank for giving away that stupid penalty and reliving the enormous pressure that they were under.

Well done boyos!

What changes will have to be made to the competition if no English teams make it to the QFs this year?

Ha. There appears to be fewer complaints this year all around. Glad you're finally able to like the comp again!

So Scarlets will play Toulon again in the quarters. Doesn't seem right

mckay1402 wrote:So Scarlets will play Toulon again in the quarters.  Doesn't seem right

There's plenty rugby still to be played before that's decided surely?

Didn't watch the match as had the Cardiff City game on but good win for Llanelli and looked liked a full house for a change. They obviously did a lot better than their west Wales counterparts Swansea did against Clermont earlier. Which wasn't hard given the performance from the "Spreys"

RDW_Scotland wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:So Scarlets will play Toulon again in the quarters.  Doesn't seem right

There's plenty rugby still to be played before that's decided surely?

Possibly but as it stands it'll be Toulon again

Steffan wrote:Didn't watch the match as had the Cardiff City game on but good win for Llanelli and looked liked a full house for a change. They obviously did a lot better than their west Wales counterparts Swansea did against Clermont earlier. Which wasn't hard given the performance from the "Spreys"

LeinsterFan4life wrote:What changes will have to be made to the competition if no English teams make it to the QFs this year?

You're welcome for the improvements.

Looks like a stellar year for the Irish and Welsh. Big statement of intent from the Scarlets in dominating such a tough pool and Leinster are absolutely flying. The AP sides are looking pretty average though Exeter might feel somewhat aggrieved given the refereeing decisions that went against them. Can't say many French teams are catching the eye either. Should be Pro whatever number it is now hands on the trophy this year.

I am certain there will be cries of " its not fair" from the PRL and there will be an attempt to tip it towards the ap teams again. funny that twice the money does not buy you success.

given the poor showing of the ap teams do they really deserve 6 automatic places? I thought is was supposed to be a meriticracy these days well on merit few ap teams shouldn't be there



teasing really but I bet there is moaning from the prl

Similar to the cries of it not being fair last year from a certain league. As I said last year these things run in circles. Still need yo base all places on merit though and let the Italians fight for it.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Similar to the cries of it not being fair last year from a certain league. As I said last year these things run in circles. Still need yo base all places on merit though and let the Italians fight for it.

That is happening this season - the top 3 in each Pro 14 conference automatically qualify and the 4th placed teams have a playoff for the final spot.

The saffer teams aren't included in that though

All good then. But because of that last point I expect we'll have to relook at it as if the sa are in it for the long haul seems fixing they should be included in this I'd have thought.

My Turk neighbour aint home yet.
Still drinking Llanelli dry, i'd wager.

7 1/2 - IIRC you were one of the folk I argued with a lot over the new format. I'll confess its not been the disaster I thought. the 7th team coming to the pro 12 helps but its still to biased towards the french and english. IMO

Do you want a bet there is cries of "foul" from Wray and his ilk?

Doubt it. It'll always be based on leagues now rather than ensuring a mix of teams from all nations imo. As above though thinking about it if the sa teams are set in stone we probably do need to think about that and how it works. I haven't read anything which says they'll be allowed in; anyone else?

No 7&1/2 wrote:Doubt it. It'll always be based on leagues now rather than ensuring a mix of teams from all nations imo. As above though thinking about it if the sa teams are set in stone we probably do need to think about that and how it works. I haven't read anything which says they'll be allowed in; anyone else?

Well Cheetahs are likely going to be in a qualifying spot this season, which is going to raise questions about other teams in that conference getting a free pass in their absence. So it won't be long before the question does come up.

It is a big incentive for the SA teams in the league to be involved and I can't see why the should not be included going forward if they are going to be an integral part of the leagues.

I think the inclusion of the SA teams in Europe is simply inconceivable, in terms of logistics.. Simply not on.

I'm watching Tigers-Racing in the snow right now, watched Cheetahs-Kings in 32°C in Bloemfontein this morning!

BigGee wrote:It is a big incentive for the SA teams in the league to be involved and I can't see why the should not be included going forward if they are going to be an integral part of the leagues.

It would unbalance the competition if one pool included a team which required the others to schlep down to South Africa for the away fixtures. Leicester and Racing are currently playing in snow but it's 31 degrees in Bloemfontein. That's an entirely different challenge, requiring different preparation, and potemtially even a different match day squad.

Where the tournament structure has best runners-up qualifying for later rounds, then all teams ought to face roughly similar challenges.

Well hethe comp is about the best 3 leagues playing each other it needs to be discussed.

VinceWLB wrote:I think the inclusion of the SA teams in Europe is simply inconceivable, in terms of logistics.. Simply not on.

I'm watching Tigers-Racing in the snow right now, watched Cheetahs-Kings in 32°C in Bloemfontein this morning!

It makes it difficult, but not impossible. The Pro 14 teams are having to do it this year and the time zones are favourable.

Glasgow had to play Exeter away in the cup the week after going to Bloemfontain. It probably did effect us in that game, but no one used it as an excuse and the match was close enough. With the benefit of hindsight, they would probably have rotated the team a bit more to keep some players fresher.

Some sympathetic scheduling by the organisers would help to facilitate it, seven or eight day turnarounds and no six dayers.

It don't know if it more of a disadvantage for either side to have to deal with the cold, or the heat and the altitude. It probably all evens up at the end of the day and it would certainly add a new dimension (and audience) to the tournament.

Rugby Fan wrote:

BigGee wrote:It is a big incentive for the SA teams in the league to be involved and I can't see why the should not be included going forward if they are going to be an integral part of the leagues.

It would unbalance the competition if one pool included a team which required the others to schlep down to South Africa for the away fixtures. Leicester and Racing are currently playing in snow but it's 31 degrees in Bloemfontein. That's an entirely different challenge, requiring different preparation, and potemtially even a different match day squad.

Where the tournament structure has best runners-up qualifying for later rounds, then all teams ought to face roughly similar challenges.

The competition has been unbalanced for years, with the inclusion of weaker teams based on nationality and not merit. Even now it is a massive advantage to draw the Italian team in your group.

That is finally being addressed and I support that, even though it does not guarantee Scottish participation. If we are good enough, then we will qualify and that is the way it has to be. A champions league has to be merit based.

If you are going to have a league based qualification system though, how can you claim to truly be the European Champions if you are excluding teams that play in the European leagues.

The best teams will still find a way, including SA teams will make it even more important to have squad depth. That probably does not really change anything from how it is now in truth!

Meanwhile, Racing winning in Leicester has sent Saracens closer to the trap door of non qualification.

Just wanted to stop by and congratulate Scarlets and their fans. Massive win last night.

Deserved Pro-12 champions last year and they are really putting in an excellent showing in Europe. Their fans deserve this as they are an excellent bunch. Good luck for the 1/4 finals lads

BigGee wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:I think the inclusion of the SA teams in Europe is simply inconceivable, in terms of logistics.. Simply not on.

I'm watching Tigers-Racing in the snow right now, watched Cheetahs-Kings in 32°C in Bloemfontein this morning!

It makes it difficult, but not impossible. The Pro 14 teams are having to do it this year and the time zones are favourable.

There's a key difference. All the Pro 14 teams are doing it, so the challenge is the same for everyone in that competition. However, if you draw the Cheetahs in your European pool, then you face a challenge that teams in the other pools don't have.

The only way to keep the pools on an even keel would be to have the Cheetahs play their home pool games at a venue in Europe, rather than South Africa.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:What changes will have to be made to the competition if no English teams make it to the QFs this year?

Makes a change from certain parties trying to work out how the tournament was biased towards the English when we last did well

lostinwales wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:What changes will have to be made to the competition if no English teams make it to the QFs this year?

Makes a change from certain parties trying to work out how the tournament was biased towards the English when we last did well

The best teams make the finals. All these different excuses fans have made throughout the years were mostly BS.

It can still be a good year for the English with sarries qualifying

3 pro 14 Home QF’s is a great result for the league.

2ndtimeround wrote:3 pro 14 Home QF’s is a great result for the league.

Yes and more than a decent chance to have 3 pro14 teams in the semis. Looking forward for Scarlets- La Rochelle at least.

Unlucky for Leinster that they have 8th placed Sarries to play who no doubt will well and truly have got their sh!t together by then!

Tasty match that.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Tasty match that.

Good argument for it being the final!

formerly known as Sam wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:What changes will have to be made to the competition if no English teams make it to the QFs this year?

You're welcome for the improvements.

Can't say many French teams are catching the eye either. Should be Pro whatever number it is now hands on the trophy this year.

You really don’t know that it’s called the PRO14? Even though you knew the number had changed with SA teams added in. And there’s any number of topic titles with Pro 14 in them.

Currently, the EPCR sees no problem for teams in the Challenge Cup flying to Krasnoyarsk to play in -20 conditions. Bloemfontein or Port Elizabeth should be a doddle in comparison.

Pot Hale wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:What changes will have to be made to the competition if no English teams make it to the QFs this year?

You're welcome for the improvements.

Can't say many French teams are catching the eye either. Should be Pro whatever number it is now hands on the trophy this year.

You really don’t know that it’s called the PRO14?   Even though you knew the number had changed with SA teams added in.   And there’s any number of topic titles with Pro 14 in them.  

Slipped my mind, couldn't remember if it had increased to 14 or was 14 plus the Boks. Don't follow the league in any detail and don't generally watch the games as I don't have Sky Sports.

Tough route to the final for Scarlets, if they are to do it. I’m sure the La Rochelle game will be a huge occasion again though.

RiscaGame wrote:Tough route to the final for Scarlets, if they are to do it. I’m sure the La Rochelle game will be a huge occasion again though.

Two teams that like to attack ball in hand. Great draw for rugby fans, hoping it opens up into a cracker.

RiscaGame wrote:Tough route to the final for Scarlets, if they are to do it. I’m sure the La Rochelle game will be a huge occasion again though.

Hunch.........Scarlets through to the next round (semis). I think La Rochelle are beginning to feel the pressure of having been early bird favourites for the whole thing. Scarlets are a Welsh side with a hot target on their radar. Bloody hell, a nightmare for any opposition!

formerly known as Sam wrote:

RiscaGame wrote:Tough route to the final for Scarlets, if they are to do it. I’m sure the La Rochelle game will be a huge occasion again though.

Two teams that like to attack ball in hand. Great draw for rugby fans, hoping it opens up into a cracker.

Weather and pitch should be a lot better too.. This will be a cracker indeed, Scarlets will have to find a way to try to nullify La Rochelle big carriers.

Pot Hale wrote:Currently, the EPCR sees no problem for teams in the Challenge Cup flying to Krasnoyarsk to play in -20 conditions.  Bloemfontein or Port Elizabeth should be a doddle in comparison.  

One of the functions of the Challenge Cup is to expand the reach of the professional game in Europe. New territory comes with the territory, as it were. Krasnoyarsk may be harsh conditions but it's still winter there, and the playing conditions have to meet minimum winter standards.

The Champions Cup pits the best teams against each other, and the playing field needs to be level. It would skew the competition if one pool was played in entirely different circumstances to the others.

To be honest, if all the leagues want to agree to allow the South Africans unconditional entry, then I'd have no objection, because everyone would know what they were getting into. I suspect commercial prospects will drive the decision. I do think there are legitimate competitive, and welfare reasons to oppose unconditional entry, however.

Whatever happened to the Tier 3 league we were promised along with all the extra sponsorship money ?