URC 22/23

[paddyor]

Anyone else think they should bin the straight 8 qfs for a barage style system? I don’t think teams without a winning record should be in the playoffs which is probable. I can see why it was done but 1st and 2nd vs 7th and 8th won’t be much of a contest.

With the Welsh salary cap dropping to 4.5m it’s going to be easy going at times for some teams. The binning of the shields HCC spots couldn’t come soon enough.

[neill_m]

THE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES IN ROUND 17 HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED.

FRIDAY, APRIL 14
Cell C Sharks v Benetton
Hollywoodbets King Park, Durban – KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA & SA
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 90th league game)
AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 88th league game)
AR 1: Ross Mabon (SRU) AR 2: Calum Worsley (SRU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Ulster v Dragons RFC
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Referee: Ben Blain (SRU, 31st league game)
AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) AR 2: Padraic Reidy (IRFU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Vodacom Bulls v Zebre Parma
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – KO 12.00 IRE & UK / 13.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 7th league game)
AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
TMO: David Sutherland (SRU)

Emirates Lions v Leinster
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 70th league game)
AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)
TMO: David Sutherland (SRU)

DHL Stormers v Munster
DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 44th league game)
AR 1: AJ Jacobs (SARU) AR 2: Griffin Colby (SARU)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

Connacht v Cardiff Rugby
The Sportsground, Galway – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 34th league game)
AR 1: Dan Carson (IRFU) AR 2: Tomas O’Sullivan (IRFU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

Edinburgh Rugby v Ospreys
The DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 22nd league game)
AR 1: Fin Brown (SRU) AR 2: Ru Campbell (SRU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

[IanD]

BBC News - Dai Young suspended as Cardiff director of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65352768

[blockhead]

BBC News - Dai Young suspended as Cardiff director of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65352768

Apart from this its been a pretty good season for the Welsh in general, don't ya think?

[Morf]

How can this be reflected through the lens of Leinsters' wealth of resources?

[IanD]

BBC News - Dai Young suspended as Cardiff director of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65352768

Apart from this its been a pretty good season for the Welsh in general, don't ya think?

Must be serious. As the article says - funeral of previous chairman was today and massive game against Ospreyd tomorrow.

[blockhead]

BBC News - Dai Young suspended as Cardiff director of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65352768

Apart from this its been a pretty good season for the Welsh in general, don't ya think?

Must be serious. As the article says - funeral of previous chairman was today and massive game against Ospreyd tomorrow.

Brilliant IanD!

[blockhead]

By the looks of things in the Ulster game, Ireland are going to end up with two teams at the top of the URC table.
That is no mean feat when you consider the 3 Saffa giants in our league.
Put that against none of the 4 Welsh sides even making the top eight!
For Ulster & Leinster

[paddyor]

BBC News - Dai Young suspended as Cardiff director of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65352768

No mention of what it actually was.

[blockhead]

Glasgow remind me of Scarlets in 2017.
Nobody noticed Scarlets were winning every game they played until they turned up in the RDS.
This season Glasgow's only defeat in any competition since the end of November was to the
Lions in February.
Dark Horses.

[neill_m]

BBC News - Dai Young suspended as Cardiff director of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65352768

No mention of what it actually was.

BBC Wales saying it is related to his behaviour towards employees including players.

[IanD]

BBC News - Dai Young suspended as Cardiff director of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65352768

No mention of what it actually was.

If you read the article.

"It has been reported that a number of complaints have been made against Young from employees."

[paddyor]

BBC News - Dai Young suspended as Cardiff director of rugby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65352768

No mention of what it actually was.

If you read the article.

"It has been reported that a number of complaints have been made against Young from employees."

I saw that, but it’s pretty vague.

[IanD]

No mention of what it actually was.

If you read the article.

"It has been reported that a number of complaints have been made against Young from employees."

I saw that, but it’s pretty vague.

No it's not.

Complaints have been made. We don't know the exact nature of the complaints.

With the recent bullying stories coming out of Welsh rugby they have to take this seriously and be seen to be taking it seriously.

[paddyor]

If you read the article.

"It has been reported that a number of complaints have been made against Young from employees."

I saw that, but it’s pretty vague.

No it's not.

Complaints have been made. We don't know the exact nature of the complaints.

With the recent bullying stories coming out of Welsh rugby they have to take this seriously and be seen to be taking it seriously.

It doesn’t say bullying. It doesn’t say anything really. It could be anything, and the fact they’re being so vague suggests it’s very serious indeed. I don’t know why you’re jumping down my throat about this.

[Ray Donovan]

Anyone else think they should bin the straight 8 qfs for a barage style system? I don’t think teams without a winning record should be in the playoffs which is probable. I can see why it was done but 1st and 2nd vs 7th and 8th won’t be much of a contest.

With the Welsh salary cap dropping to 4.5m it’s going to be easy going at times for some teams. The binning of the shields HCC spots couldn’t come soon enough.

Absolutely should go the Top 6 route.

1. Better quality playoff games

2. Would help the top 2 URC teams if they were still in Europe with a free weekend. A reward for treating the URC so seriously if you will.

3. Top 8 still qualify for H Cup so games still have relevance for teams outside making top 6.

[FLIP]

Cardiff team out watching the match today

[enby]

Glasgow remind me of Scarlets in 2017.
Nobody noticed Scarlets were winning every game they played until they turned up in the RDS.
This season Glasgow's only defeat in any competition since the end of November was to the
Lions in February.
Dark Horses.

I agree. They are a team in top form right now and they should have too much for Munster. Without getting ahead of ourselves, they would be dangerous opponents should we encounter them in the semi final

[paddyor]

That’s half the threat to euro rugby next season for Connacht gone. Toulon will probably dispatch treviso tomorrow.

[hugonaut]

Anyone else think they should bin the straight 8 qfs for a barage style system? I don’t think teams without a winning record should be in the playoffs which is probable. I can see why it was done but 1st and 2nd vs 7th and 8th won’t be much of a contest.

With the Welsh salary cap dropping to 4.5m it’s going to be easy going at times for some teams. The binning of the shields HCC spots couldn’t come soon enough.

Absolutely should go the Top 6 route.

1. Better quality playoff games

2. Would help the top 2 URC teams if they were still in Europe with a free weekend. A reward for treating the URC so seriously if you will.

3. Top 8 still qualify for H Cup so games still have relevance for teams outside making top 6.

Meant to reply to this previously Paddy. Totally agree with you.

Having half the league qualify for finals rugby is a nonsense.