European Rugby Champions Cup - Logs and some comments omn SA players

Pool   1

Toulouse             =         18

Leinnster            =          16

Bath                     =           5           

Wasps                   =            3

Toulouse beat Leinster in the one game but there is still a second game these two teams must play against each other. 

There is no chance that either Bath or Wasps would get into the quarterfinal,   Baa news for the English Clubs.   None of  the three  SA players made a name for themselves in any of the games played.

Pool 2

Munster             =          12

Castres                =           9

Exeter                 =           8 

Gloucester         =           8

This pool is a mess.   The only team with a positive point difference is Munster  = the other three teams have zero or negative points difference.

It is likely that Munster will go through to the quarters – but whether any of the other three teams will qualify is everybody’s guess

Munster must still play Exeter and Gloucester.   Castres  also have to play Exeter and Gloucester.   Both will have to get two bonus point wins each to go through.   Not very good looking at the overall performance of SA players involved are concerned,

Pool 3

Saracens             =          18

Glasgow              =          14

Cardiff                 =            4

Lyon                    =             0

Saracens is likely to top the Pool – but Glasgow  has a chance to go through to the quarters,  Cadiff as zero chance to go through and Lyon is a joke insofar as this series is concerned,

Pool  4

Racing Metro        =          19

Ulster                     =           14

Leicester                =             6

Scarlets                  =             2

Racing will go through – but Ulster has a chance to also make the quarterfinals.   So far Marcell Coetzee at 8 has been outstanding,

Pool 5

Edinburgh              =             15

Montpellier           =             11

Newcastle              =               8

Toulon                    =               6

This pool is a mess as well.   I do not think That Toulon would make it through to the quarterfinals – but Necastle has a minute chance to go through,

Just some interesting player news.   Plumtree in 2013 said the Frans Steyn is not a center at all and that was shown up throughout the four years up to 2017.    Montpellier in the last three games moved him to fullback – where he did very well, but he still has some deficiencies.   His defense is not what it should be and his kicking game also problematic.   However, he performs much better at full back than at center.

All of Serfontein, Goosen, Pienaar and Willemse played very well for Montpe;;ier.

DH van der Merwe was a real star for Edibgurgh – that guy is magic.  He saved  a try by a top class tackle tackle and scored a wonderful try today..             

...notso clevermike yr right, does'nt look like many follow NH rugby here....and no where to be found are those so vocal about SA moving north 

...but NH rugby has improved immeasurably since SH players have been getting involved in bigger numbers...talking about the Kiwis here and of course Fiji...SA not so much...and the European Rugby Champions Cup is a good comp to showcase the quality of NH rugby....although pity Clermont are'nt invoved in it this year as they are arguably the best of the french teams

...Good to see Scottish sides doing so well also...i.e Edinburgh and Glasgow under the next AB coach Dave Rennie - hopefully Scotland can take that form through to the 6 Nations... the six Nations fantasy comp open on Superbru btw if you want to start a league... Scotland's wingman Maitland one of the top try scorers in the comp also in good form for Saracens..

Toulouse have also been playing well. They have recruited well with many of the french u 20s side for the future. Kolbe also playing well with his speed and elusiveness making up for what he lacks in size.Not very often French teams win away from home but they have managed it..

But Leinster and Saracens the two favourites still with the bookies though ...

Brycy

Some Kiwi and Fij i poplayers are doing very well - others not so well.  I think Lowe is the best wing in any side in the Champions Cup with Van der Merwe a close second,

I am very disappointed in for instance Sopoaga - he just is not the player he used to be.

And I see Ben Smith will play for Pau after the WC next year.   Any news where Read will be playing?

I will start a Fantasy League on Superbru nearer to the start of the 6-Nations and am still looking around for alternative Fantasy Competitions for Super Rugby.   ESPN used to have one - and is likely to have one for  Super Rugby next year as well.  I have never been able to figure out how their competitions works.  Maybe the fundi's on site will be able to deal with it.      

...Not sure what's happening with Reado...a toss up between France and Japan by the sounds of it... Japan would be easier playing less games in that competition and against midgets...Read might want to join his Crusader team mate given the success that Dan Carter  experienced leading the Kobe Steelers to the title win last week...

Re Super Rugby bookmark Sportsdeck, a very similarly formated, almost identical fantasy comp to Fox comp, except faster than Fox at updating the results..i suggest that one is next best to try next year...

https://sportsdeck.com/au/rugby/dreamteam#/lobby.

Brycy

Thanks - I have registered with Sportsdeck - but nearer the time will start a league for membe rs of our site.

However, I think that you should have a look at ESPN as well and let me know what you think about that one.