Champions Cup 1/4 Finals - 9th/10th April

First topic message reminder :

Top Half

Winers of these two 1/4 finals will meet at the Madjeski in Reading


Saturday 9th April 15:15 Wasps (4) v Exeter (5) BT Sport
Ref: Romain Poite

Recent Form (since Round 6)
Wasps - P10, W9, L1
Exeter - P10, W6, L4

Wasps have been in scintillating form including a massive win at Saracens. Exeter have been more patchy, with two defeats to Saracens since their win over Ospreys sealed the 1/4 final spot. Teams have met once in the AP so far, with Chiefs winning at the Ricoh.

Teams

Wasps
15. Charles Piutau; 14. Christian Wade, 13. Elliot Daly, 12. Siale Piutau, 11. Frank Halai; 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Dan Robson; 1. Matt Mullan, 2. Carlo Festuccia, 3. Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Kearnan Myall, 6. James Haskell, 7. George Smith, 8. Nathan Hughes
16. Ashley Johnson, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Lorenzo Cittadini, 19. Bradley Davies, 20. Thomas Young, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Ruaridh Jackson, 23. Rob Miller

Exeter Chiefs
15. Lachlan Turner; 14. Jack Nowell, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Ian Whitten, 11. Olly Woodburn; 10. Gareth Steenson, 9. Will Chudley; 1. Ben Moon, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Moray Low, 4. Mitch Lees, 5. Geoff Parling, 6. Don Armand, 7. Julian Salvi, 8. Tom Waldrom
16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Harry Williams, 19. Damian Welch, 20. Dave Ewers, 21. Dave Lewis, 22. Michele Campagnaro, 23. James Short


Saturday 9th April 17:45 Saracens (1) v Northampton (8) Sky Sports
Ref: Jerome Garces


Recent Form
Saracens - P10, W6, L3, D1
Northampton - P10, W6, L4

Both sides have beaten the other away from home in the AP.

Teams

Saracens
15. Alex Goode; 14. Chris Ashton, 13. Duncan Taylor, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. Chris Wyles; 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Richard Wigglesworth; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Schalk Brits, 3. Petrus du Plessis, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. George Kruis, 6. Jackson Wray, 7. Will Fraser, 8. Billy Vunipola
16. Jared Saunders , 17. Richard Barrington, 18. Titi Lamositele, 19. Alistair Hargreaves, 20. Michael Rhodes, 21. Neil de Kock, 22. Marcelo Bosch, 23. Ben Ransom


Northampton Saints
15. Ben Foden; 14. Ken Pisi, 13. George Pisi, 12. Luther Burrell, 11. Jamie Elliott; 10. Steve Myler, 9. Kahn Fotuali'i; 1. Alex Waller, 2. Mikey Haywood, 3. Paul Hill, 4. James Craig, 5. Christian Day, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Ben Nutley, 8. Teimana Harrison
16. Reece Marshall, 17. Campese Ma'afu, 18. Gareth Denman, 19. Victor Matfield, 20. Michael Paterson, 21. Tom Kessell, 22. JJ Hanrahan, 23. Harry Mallinde



Bottom Half

The location of the semi final for winners in the bottom half is much more complicated. Easiest thing to say is a Leicester/Racing semi would be held at the City Ground, Nottingham - otherwise the semi will be in France.


Sunday 10th April 13:45 Leicester (2) v Stade Francais (7) BT Sport
Ref: Nigel Owens

Recent Form:
Leicester - P10, W5, L5
Stade - P8 W2, L6

Each side won at home when these two met in the Pool Stages

Teams

Leicester Tigers
15. Matthew Tait; 14. Telusa Veainu, 13. Peter Betham, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Vereniki Goneva; 10. Freddie Burns, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Marcos Ayerza, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Dom Barrow, 5. Graham Kitchener, 6. Michael Fitzgerald, 7. Brendon O'Connor, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey
16. Greg Bateman, 17. Logovii Mulipola, 18. Fraser Balmain, 19. Ed Slater, 20. Tom Croft, 21. Sam Harrison, 22. Owen Williams, 23. Adam Thompstone


Stade Francais Paris
15. Djibril Camara; 14. Waisea Vuidarvuwalu, 13. Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Jérémy Sinzelle; 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Julien Dupuy; 1. Zurabi Zhvania, 2. Remi Bonfils, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Hugh Pyle, 5. Alexandre Flanquart, 6. Jonathan Ross, 7. Raphael Lakafia, 8. Sergio Parisse
16. Craig Burden, 17. Dany Priso, 18. Paul Alo Emile, 19. Paul Gabrillagues, 20. Willem Alberts, 21. Julien Tomas, 22. Jules Plisson, 23. Hugo Bonneval


Sunday 10th April 16:15 Racing 92 (3) v Toulon (6) Sky Sports
Ref: Wayne Barnes

Recent Form:
Racing - P8, W5, L3
Toulon - P8, W5, L3

Both teams have beaten the other away from home, most recently being Toulon's win in Paris 8 days ago.

Teams

Racing 92
15. Brice Dulin; 14. Joe Rokocoko, 13. Johannes Goosen, 12. Alexandre Dumoulin, 11. Juan Imhoff; 10. Dan Carter, 9. Maxime Machenaud; 1. Eddy Ben Arous, 2. Dimitri Szarzewski, 3. Luc Ducalcon, 4. Luke Charteris, 5. Francois van der Merwe, 6. Wenceslas Lauret, 7. Bernard Le Roux, 8. Chris Masoe
16. Camille Chat, 17. Khatchik Vartanov, 18. Martin Castrogiovanni, 19. Yannick Nyanga, 20. Manuel Carizza, 21. Mike Phillips, 22. Remi Tales, 23. Marc Andreu


RC Toulon
15. Delon Armitage; 14. Josua Tuisova, 13. Maxime Mermoz, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 11. James O'Connor; 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Jonathan Pelissie; 1. Florian Fresia, 2. Guilhem Guirado, 3. Manasa Saulo, 4. Mamuka Gorgodze, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Juan Smith, 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Duane Vermeulen
16. Jean-Charles Orioli, 17. Xavier Chiocci, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Steffon Armitage, 20. Mathieu Bastareaud, 21. Tom Taylor, 22. Eric Escande, 23. Thibault Lassale

One question was answered though, if England want an out and out 7 that can play 8, for the summer tour, their is only one real candidate after today and yesterday.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:One question was answered though, if England want an out and out 7 that can play 8, for the summer tour, their is only one real candidate after today and yesterday.

Pretty sure Clifford is playing in a bit.

Also smith isn't EQP.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:I would much rather have Wilson at 10 or 21, he is capable at least. HH is at best a decent 12, we have a lot of them. Saints need to recruit a decent 10 to sub/rest Myler for next year.

I am really looking forward to next season mind you, a back row of Woods/Gibson, Harrison and Picamoles gets me salivating.

A little OT but while on the subject, that is a bit of a shame. Has JJ not been impressing much at Saints?

JJs kicking is abysmal for this level. I'm not a fan of his decision making or general play really either.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:One question was answered though, if England want an out and out 7 that can play 8, for the summer tour, their is only one real candidate after today and yesterday.

Brendan O'Connor and Lachlan McCaffery both play tomorrow though.

nathan wrote:I'm a bit slow, which game are you on about yappy

Quins Nathan.

Game of the weekend isn't it?

yappysnap wrote:

nathan wrote:I'm a bit slow, which game are you on about yappy

Quins Nathan.

Game of the weekend isn't it?

Yeah I didn't know they were playing, more rugby! Nice surprise.

Lovely intercept by Care

Oh and please for the life of me BT, get rid of Ugo... He's awful!

Good going Quins.

I think Irish should play this team in the premiership

I've resulted in listening to music instead of the commentary

formerly known as Sam wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:One question was answered though, if England want an out and out 7 that can play 8, for the summer tour, their is only one real candidate after today and yesterday.

Brendan O'Connor and Lachlan McCaffery both play tomorrow though.

O'Connor is an 8 I believe, does he play 7? McCafferty is still to prove himself over a period, plus he only qualifies on the Granny rule. Harrison's father is from Derby and he has been over here for a number of years in the Saints academy. He also has the advantage of being able to play across the back row.

He was awesome today, played every other backrower off the pitch. Barnes decided on the MotM last week, from his commentary he wasn't watching todays game; as usual.

Pity that Saints had so many injuries, having 4 locks on the field at the end was not good and Sarries took full advantage of it, spreading it wide and using the space allowed by the lack of mobility of the Saints backrow.

U Wot M8?

O'Connor is a 7 that can play 8 get it straight Not even rustled at lack of research, just disappointed.

And What is the difference between the Grandparent rule and Parent rule?

Nothing......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:I would much rather have Wilson at 10 or 21, he is capable at least. HH is at best a decent 12, we have a lot of them. Saints need to recruit a decent 10 to sub/rest Myler for next year.

I am really looking forward to next season mind you, a back row of Woods/Gibson, Harrison and Picamoles gets me salivating.

Clark. Don't forget Clark will be back from his injuries. Starting next season the back row will be stacked.

Agree we need a quality 10 to alternate with Myler. This season it looks like the high mileage is starting to show. He needs a quiet off-season to rest up whilst team management finds another quality 10 to spell him.

Welly wrote:
And What is the difference between the Grandparent rule and Parent rule?

Nothing......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Well, unless you are a Borgia, I thought one involved an additional act of sex.

I mean in terms of qualifying.

Well that joke went down like a lead balloon.

As to qualifying - my parents are English, but I was born in Germany. One grandparent was born in Ireland. Whilst eligible for Ireland, I am most definitely English.

Welly wrote: U Wot M8?

O'Connor is a 7 that can play 8 get it straight  Not even rustled at lack of research, just disappointed.

And What is the difference between the Grandparent rule and Parent rule?

Nothing......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Sorry Welly, I did Wicki them, but trying to post on a small tablet, with size 16 keys and size 4 fingers, by the third attempt I had them around the wrong way.

With regard to the granny rule, one generation. My family all come from the North East, my parents were the only ones to migrate South. Being only one generation removed, I still have close ties with the area, I have cousins and a few aunts up there, my kids however, although they were taken up there a fair bit when they were younger and keep in touch with some of their age group relatives on Facebook etc. have no affinity for the place at all. I even have to translate the language for them.

Harrison will have age group cousins over here to go with uncles and aunts, so he still has close family ties. He came over here at an early age around 18 on the advice and recommendation of Dylan Hartley, he has played all his senior rugby in England.

O'Connor on the other had came over circa 25 years old, for the money presumably as he appears to have no close ties to this country and probably few close relatives after 2 generations have past.

It's the same old debate on qualification, I just much prefer at least some close ties to England or whoever they want to play for. That's why I am not enthusiastic about Hughes, although I accept it will happen.

Doc, Yeah, I had forgotten about Clarke, been missing so long. Wood/Gibson, Picamoles/Dickinson, Clarke/Harrison. Most sides would give their eye teeth for those choices. Plus Brookes/Hill, Hartley/Haywood. The pack is brimming with options.

We do need another 9 & 10 though, Khan is just too slow to get the ball away and is a complete contract to Dickson who gets it away so quick, when on form anyway. As you say, Myler cannot carry on playing the number of games he does without sensible i.e. not JH, cover.

Just looking at the players missing from the squad for yesterday that would have been called first choice, it makes me wonder how we kept in the game, FRONT ROW - Corbs, Hartley, Brookes, LOCKS - Lawes (okay he was playing 6 as we had no back row available), BACK ROW - Wood, Gibson, Dickinson, BACKS - Dickson, North from the bench Clark, Wilson, Stephenson. That is a whole international front row and close to an all international back row missing.

Yet more late changes for Tigers.

Slater and Harrison replaced by De Chaves and Kitto.

Betham intercepts but immediately tackled, offloads to Goneva who goes to ground just outside Stade 22, Burns puts a terrible grubber through which Camara makes an awful mess of appearing to be tackled into touch by Veainu, line-out taken quickly to Manu who scores with 90 seconds gone.

Some terrible rugby ending very well for Tigers.

Tigers concede a couple of quick penalties, the first gives field position and the second Steyn knocks over off the post.

Tigers 7 - 3 Stade

Hmmmm, Nigel that was a crap decision

Nigel Owens is having a shocker. His reffing of the breakdown is very poor, inconsistent and he's allowing the defensive team to plough in off their feet.

Owens allows a Stade player to miss the ball and then fall straight on top of Youngs at the breakdown. Tigers recycle five metres back and Stade don't number up leaving Goneva free on the wing to run it in.

Burns intercepts from a blatantly not straight Stade lineout. Under the posts. Three Tigers tries in 33 mins.

Stade plays flopping on the ball there

Lots of inaccuracy in this game, players and officials. Though I guess to some degree you make your own luck...the harder you work the luckier you get.

Sadly Owens is to much of an influence on this game.

Having pinged Tigers twice for "being beaten by the ruck" Owens then allows Parisse to come in at the side and play the ball at a breakdown with two players from either side and gives him the penalty.

Haha. I am sure Nigel had the best ref in the world chat before kick off again, for his handling at the ruck. Think the BT panel did it.

Question. Is there still not a law where if two players are in the lineout, it's formed? It looked off a replay for Tuilagi's try that the lineout was technically formed.

That is one decision that I find to be maddeningly inconsistent. When the ball is kicked through and the defending player drops on it, he is supposed to be allowed to get to his feet. This rarely happens and I reckon it is penalised about 60% of the time. Drives me up the wall.

It took 50 minutes for stade to make that sub...

I'm surprised Burns has gone off so early. Appears to be an unnecessary risk to me or is he injured?

Betham is a terrific example of how pace can be utilised in defence as well as attack. Lot's a wingers who are poor in the tackle could learn a lot from how he uses it.

Seb De Chaves looking very confused about scrummaging at flanker

RiscaGame wrote:Haha. I am sure Nigel had the best ref in the world chat before kick off again, for his handling at the ruck. Think the BT panel did it.

Question. Is there still not a law where if two players are in the lineout, it's formed? It looked off a replay for Tuilagi's try that the lineout was technically formed.

I think it's technically two from each team but most refs let you mark it up and then slow play. Burns spotted the gap and went for it, worth a go because the ref will only give you the line out if he doesn't like it.

I honestly don't know if Tigers are playing really well or Stade are just having an 80 minute implosion.

Interesting choice going for posts at 41 - 13 up.

Just having a breather basically I guess.

Bateman and Balmain have looked good since coming on.

Well...........this was entertaining. Great show by Leicester overall. Gearing up for the run in......

And for Stade Francais? Very much ungood.

I thought Watson had quick feet, but Veainu makes him look slow.

Only saw the last 20 minutes, but Tigers look awesome.

I hope they have run out of steam for the AP clash with Saints next week.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:I thought Watson had quick feet, but Veainu makes him look slow.

Only saw the last 20 minutes, but Tigers look awesome.

I hope they have run out of steam for the AP clash with Saints next week.

At times we've played brilliantly, other times we've been poor. That about sums up our season

Leicester look like they're going to Nottingham.

Really enjoyed the Exeter / Wasps game. I rather feel for Exeter tho

It's the number if errors that worries me Nathan. Stade only scored after Tait dropped a routine pass. We make too many silly drops that lead to points.

Days like that are the reward for sitting through the godawful night fixture with Sale. Absolutely, bloody amazing. Shouted myself hoarse and on cloud 9.

Hope the knock Burns took was not serious - loved the way the crowd were chanting his name as he hobbled off.

If Parisse had spent half the time playing that he did whinging Stade could have been closer.

Funniest moment, when Nige realised that Manu was bursting into his channel and scooted out of the way.

Yes we dropped too many balls, usually when trying to switch inside, but switching to the current style will lead to errors.

Final point - thought by 60 minutes the Stade centres looked terrified, Manu and Betham were constantly battering them.

Cockers said Burns just had cramp so should be fine

So we'll be playing in England then

Tigers should stuff Racing  having just watched the most turgid ***t  match I have seen for a long time, Toulon seem to be a bunch of muscular hulks going from one breakdown to another very glad they are out of the competition the margin being tight due to Carter not kicking and the other guy missing 4 penalty attempts. Any team playing a fast game would tire them very quickly it looks like a Sarrie v Tigers final

Such a shame to see Toulon out :p

rosbif wrote:Tigers should stuff Racing  having just watched the most turgid ***t  match I have seen for a long time, Toulon seem to be a bunch of muscular hulks going from one breakdown to another very glad they are out of the competition the margin being tight due to Carter not kicking and the other guy missing 4 penalty attempts. Any team playing a fast game would tire them very quickly it looks like a Sarrie v Tigers final

Depends how racing travel, this is a new and improving racing team so they are a bit of an unknown travelling to England.

Now to wait till Wednesday.

Welly wrote:Now to wait till Wednesday.

Yup, hit the phones at 9am Weds. I need to investigate parking in Nottingham too.

Tickets look a touch overpriced too