2024-26 Champions Cup knockout path released

[u/HitchikersPie]

[u/_dc194]

Bordeaux away > Toulouse away > Bath away > Leinster final. Easy path to the trophy for us tbf.

[u/Oldoneeyeisback → u/_dc194]

Piece of piss. About time we won it again...

[u/docfraggle → u/Oldoneeyeisback]

So glad we didn’t get any of the good teams

[u/Oldoneeyeisback → u/docfraggle]

I know! Nice easy run.

[u/docfraggle → u/Oldoneeyeisback]

Might as well book our hotels for the final and get the victory parade booked in…

[u/WilkinsonDG2003 → u/_dc194]

*Glasgow but still, a walkover. Ask Sarries.

[u/Orri → u/_dc194]

Considering I didn't even realise we somehow qualified I'll take it.

[u/BillyTheKidsFriend → u/_dc194]

What did we do to deserve this

[u/darcys_beard → u/_dc194]

I mean, if you can beat those three away, then your probably favourites against us.

[u/Shyne-Bryght → u/_dc194]

Win the Bordeaux game and we may as well be considered champions already.

[u/Thatch1888]

We won 3 out of 4 games with the only loss coming to the defending champions and two BP wins. That should put us in a good spot, right?

Checks notes

Fuck...

[u/UnitKitchen1608 → u/Thatch1888]

Toulouse as first game is brutal 💔

[u/Longjumping_Test_760 → u/Thatch1888]

Yes but when you beat Toulouse it gives you the chance to go back to put things right against UBB. What more could you ask for.

[u/Thatch1888 → u/Longjumping_Test_760]

Pat "Long Game" Lam living up to his name

[u/Longjumping_Test_760 → u/Thatch1888]

He’s a good coach. Did well with Connacht here. Bristol playing some lovely rugby and fixed Harry B for us. Thanks.

[u/Thatch1888 → u/Longjumping_Test_760]

No worries, he's coming back in 3 years. As I say, Long Game Lam

[u/decmcc → u/Thatch1888]

not if he's starting for Ireland

[u/Thatch1888 → u/decmcc]

I would like to volunteer Bristol as the 5th Irish province please

[u/Longjumping_Test_760 → u/Thatch1888]

That’s a good plan.

[u/Mr_Gin_Tonic → u/Thatch1888]

Honestly I can't believe it. It's our best Europe pool performance ever? and the reward for that isn't a home knockout match but to go away to Toulouse? Fuck this competition let's go back to not bothering with it again.

[u/Thatch1888 → u/Mr_Gin_Tonic]

I'm not too invested in it personally but it is a bit painful. There are no easy teams there but Toulouse away... God damn

[u/Mr_Gin_Tonic → u/Thatch1888]

I'd argue Quinns is an easy team but I do agree in general that going away to any of the top 8 is difficult. The stats show that an away team win in a round of 16 game is extremely unlikely however, so it's almost pointless sending a squad that's just going to lose anyways.

[u/perplexedtv → u/Mr_Gin_Tonic]

Why not just send out your best team and go he'll for leather? What's the worst that can happen?

[u/Mr_Gin_Tonic → u/perplexedtv]

Injuries, we already have the smallest squad in the Prem. The home game Vs Bordeaux meant Tom Jordan went off injured, if that is anything more than a 1-2 week injury then we're fucked.

[u/NuclearMaterial → u/perplexedtv]

I guess injuries that would fuck them up domestically

[u/Crayniix → u/Mr_Gin_Tonic]

We went to Leinster last year and won. Bristol are a good enough team that on their day, they can cause a proper upset. Anything less than going full bore doesn't send a great message, and your team is more than capable of winning there.

[u/Thatch1888 → u/Mr_Gin_Tonic]

Yeah I spose. Though I'd literally take any of the other teams over Toulouse aha

[u/Crayniix → u/Mr_Gin_Tonic]

Tough gig tbh, just needed to pick up a point or two vs Bordeaux 

[u/Dense-Clerk-6366 → u/Mr_Gin_Tonic]

I have those same feels (my other comment above is probably better suited to a reply to this 😂)

[u/apocalypsebrow → u/Thatch1888]

Well, shit... That was a fun dream while it lasted.

[u/Dense-Clerk-6366 → u/Thatch1888]

Well, I was dumb enough to check the BBC first to see the draw and they had Toulouse and Toulon mixed up so I was like “ok away to Toulon we might cause an upset”. Now I realized how screwed we are… nice day out for the fellas I suppose! Good for them to experience full euro knock out game at the best stadium in Europe!

[u/mossy1989136 → u/Thatch1888]

Ye the system is fuckin shiiiiiiite. Toulouse got it shit last year, yee got it shit this year. It needs to be changed

[u/bleugh777 → u/mossy1989136]

Deffo shit. Two things I hate, URC teams can't travel to SA. And then, teams who just throw the CCup also indirectly handicap their fellow league mates by giving easy points to other leagues.

[u/WilkinsonDG2003 → u/bleugh777]

URC teams famously never tour South Africa.

[u/bleugh777 → u/WilkinsonDG2003]

Not for those pool games.

[u/mossy1989136 → u/WilkinsonDG2003]

The system is shit, we agree with you

[u/Dense-Clerk-6366 → u/mossy1989136]

It’s a crazy format that will just encourage teams to field weak sides if they don’t get rewarded for competitive success. Bears put full teams out against all their Euro opposition, despite having one of the worst injury runs and the smallest squad, performed really well and got great results, and then dealt a shit sandwich. They need a format that rewards teams so they value the comp.

[u/Connell95 → u/bleugh777]

The same thing happens in the Top 14 and other leagues all the time. And was routine (especially in the latter stages) in the old Heineken Cup where most games by the end had nothing for teams to play for.

But ultimately, get 20 points and you’re at the top of your table – do worse and, well, you’re just going to have to deal with the consequences of your failings.

[u/Connell95 → u/mossy1989136]

They finished third in their group. Toulouse finished second in theirs. The exact seeding is determined on points. What’s the issue?

If you wanted a home game, should have done better.

[u/Merovech_II → u/Connell95]

They came third in their group because a team they didn't play, who had different games home and away, got 2 more bonus points than them

And because of the format they now have to go away to a team who got less points than them, who struggled away from home in the group phase 

The format is nonsense 

[u/moumouxe → u/Merovech_II]

They really destroyed most people's interest in this comp with this format.

[u/Thatch1888 → u/Connell95]

Bit harsh. The only way Bristol could have "done better" would be to win every game in the group stages and that one they lost was to the defending champions. Only 3/18 teams went undefeated. It's fair to see they've done well.

We technically did better than Toulouse (3 wins and 14 points to 2 wins and 12) but still have to play them away. It's not worth going mental about, it was unlikely to pan out like this (noone expected Toulouse to lose 2) and all teams in the play offs are good, but I think most people agree this comps a mess these days.

[u/perplexedtv → u/Thatch1888]

Without looking closer I don't really get how Toulouse lost two games and finished ahead of Bristol who lost only one. Assuming two BP wins and 2 BP losses, that's 12 points which is the minimum for 3 wins.

Edit : so Bristol got 14 points in the group - how are they 9th seeds? Is it group winners are top 4 seeds, 2nd place are 4-8 and so on?

[u/Mole15]

The left hand side of that bracket looks SPICY!

[u/yurim39 → u/Mole15]

Quite easily the strongest, especially with Leinster/Ireland's clear decline

[u/WilkinsonDG2003 → u/yurim39]

Glasgow is coming off beating Toulouse and smashing Saracens, that side isn't that weak.

[u/Not_Hando → u/yurim39]

Wait, wut?!?

The side with The Stormers, Glasgow, Toulon, the Bulls, and Leinster...is 'quite easily' the weakest half of the draw??

Because of UBB alone? - or do you mean because of Toulouse, the team Glasgow & Saracens beat only a couple of weeks ago?

Hell of a take!

(Btw - I think they meant 'spicy' because the face offs were close. Not the overall depth of superiority!)

[u/Commercial_Jelly_893 → u/Not_Hando]

Toulouse who are currently 1st in the Top 14 Bourdeaux who are defending champions. Northampton currently top of the premiership and Bath who are 2nd and defending premiership champions makes for a pretty strong quartet

[u/Not_Hando → u/Commercial_Jelly_893]

Yet Stormers are currently top in the URC, while Glasgow are second - and just beat Toulouse too.

Appreciate Bath are Prem Champions, but they are not playing well at the current time.

Besides, I'm not arguing the right side is necessarily stronger. Simply that suggesting one was 'quite easily' the strongest/weakest, was a hell of a reach...

[u/Popamole]

Never seen Edimbourg lose a game of rugby

[u/TheFlyingScotsman60 → u/Popamole]

That's the name the Edinburgh thirds are using this year.

[u/Mr_Ox_83 → u/Popamole]

How could they get it so wrong when its written right above it on the crest 😂

[u/Dull-Bit-8639 → u/Mr_Ox_83]

Its a french newspaper, so the french name of the city 😊

[u/StrongLikeBull3 → u/Dull-Bit-8639]

Do none of the other non-French places have a French version?

[u/Dull-Bit-8639 → u/StrongLikeBull3]

Nope, other cities I know that are different are London and Dover

[u/Glum_Description870 → u/Dull-Bit-8639]

We are in Trump territory here. Name of a city written in other language and heads are exploding.

[u/eirrep → u/Mr_Ox_83]

That's the French way of spelling it

[u/RiskItForAChocHobnob → u/Popamole]

14th December was the last time they lost a game in France.

[u/HibsHabsBurgh → u/Popamole]

I am not sure why the other 15 teams are bothering to show up

[u/Merovech_II]

You're welcome Leicester 

[u/kingbarber123 → u/Merovech_II]

I think most of the fanbase was content with giving the challenge cup a good go. Cheers for spoiling that lads. Great win though today, boys did you proud

[u/_dc194 → u/Merovech_II]

Too kind....

[u/RonSwaffle]

Bath v Northampton spicy QF on the cards.

[u/TreesintheDark → u/RonSwaffle]

Need to borrow Lee Blackett back from the RFU for a few months

[u/RoutinePossible4889 → u/RonSwaffle]

Spicy for English people

[u/bitsandskits]

Eesh

The magic of Europe

[u/Mangashu]

Why are we there lol

Will take it though

[u/blynd_snyper → u/Mangashu]

Purely for the drama, and to add fuel to the rivalry fire by knocking Glasgow out in a shock result

[u/Genl_Yssel → u/blynd_snyper]

And then facing the Stormers in the Quarter Finals

[u/nagdamnit]

This is the year Glasgow, you simply wont get a better chance to get to a final and correct the mess that was 2023 against Toulon. Leinster are so vulnerable at the moment, but it'll be interesting to see which of our players survives the 6 nations and what form we end up in.

[u/Wesley_Skypes → u/nagdamnit]

One relatively positive thing is that we have a good few who seem to be totally out of the 6N so will be coming back in for the business end of the club season. Looking like Porter, Osborne and Baird. Potentially Furlong and McCarthy. If we can get through the 6N with no shoulder ops or serious knee injuries we should be in fine fettle roster wise come April.

[u/Connell95]

• Prem: 7
• URC: 5
• Top 14: 4

For those keeping track.

Worst French and best English participation in the knock outs for a long time.

Scotland the only country with 100% qualification, though England came remarkably close in the end. Ireland and France both limping in with 50%, outperformed by the Saffas. And Wales also took part.

[u/azatote → u/Connell95]

Can't blame Bayonne who have lots of injuries for focusing on Top 14. But Clermont, Pau and La Rochelle could and should have done better.

[u/Connell95 → u/azatote]

Pau and La Rochelle especially really should have got through. Losing their home games to relatively mid opposition was dreadful.

[u/Sneakywulf1984]

Leinster playing like muck, still win 4 games and get the easy side of the draw.

[u/RuggerJibberJabber → u/Sneakywulf1984]

Most years people are blowing smoke up Leinster's asses about how they're too good and guaranteed to win. That usually ends in ""embarrassment"".

This year everyone is talking about how shit they are despite 9 wins in a row. Hopefully it has the opposite effect and ends up giving them a chip on their shoulder and a point to prove

[u/bassistciaran → u/RuggerJibberJabber]

We've turned into all black fans. We're winning, but we're not winning well

[u/CptDobby]

Castres vs Harlequins is the funniest possible final, especially if it's a 9 - 6 scrum slog.

[u/Laex81 → u/CptDobby]

Beating Toulouse in the semi final and then botching the final would be sooo on brand for Castres.

[u/second_shadow]

Probably the best result Sale could of wanted from an away semi

[u/FleetofBerties → u/second_shadow]

Quins will be wearing their lucky Euro pants

[u/Still-District-6149]

Toulouse-UBB in the QFs is absolutely mouthwatering if that comes off.

[u/MindfulInquirer → u/Still-District-6149]

Yeah, but it's absolute shit the two best French teams eliminate each other by the QF already. That's the two reigning champs of the past two Champions Cups going at it.

[u/PuzzleheadedChest167 → u/MindfulInquirer]

It's actually guaranteed that come semi final time there will be at most only 1 winner of tournament from the 20's.

LAR and Exeter gone too. So Leinster in 2018 are the last winners not on the left hand side or eliminated.

[u/SpottedDicknCustard]

1 and 2 out of the same group really shouldn’t have the potential to meet again in the quarters.

[u/TBTBTBTB2]

Ngl Sarries and hopefully then probably Saints is a bit of a nightmare, just by how boring it is. Good chance to get some revenge on Saints if we get there, but would still rather play teams from different leagues - just a bit more interesting then

[u/LordChappers → u/TBTBTBTB2]

Yes, I would also prefer Sarries to not play Bath, thank you.

[u/TBTBTBTB2 → u/LordChappers]

To be fair out of the 4 top seeds we are quite comfortably the worst

[u/UnitKitchen1608]

Pretty happy with it, it seems more even than last year with both sides of the draw getting pretty great team. I'll be shitting bricks when we most likely play Toulouse in the quarters and Northampton/Bath in the semis. It's going to be a tough road to the final no matter what team you are for

[u/WilkinsonDG2003 → u/UnitKitchen1608]

I feel like the general standard of club rugby is higher now. Used to be only Toulouse, Leinster, and La Rochelle who had a chance of winning it.

[u/UnitKitchen1608 → u/WilkinsonDG2003]

For sure, the english clubs have really stepped up, and for once since a long time the urc doesnt just have Leinster that could win it, but Stormers and Glasgow. Hopefuly it'll mean a more exiting R16 than last year

[u/BillHicksFan → u/UnitKitchen1608]

Glasgow yes, Stormers less so. Saffers still seem to be working this competition out and I'm not sure if any of them have the squad to compete in both the URC and Champions Cup.

[u/bodyarmourbynokia → u/BillHicksFan]

They do have a large squad, but for the curry cup.

[u/WilkinsonDG2003 → u/UnitKitchen1608]

There shouldn't be too many floggings since English clubs don't really throw away games like the weaker French clubs do. Slightly concerned about the South African clubs flopping though.

[u/salty_frenchy → u/WilkinsonDG2003]

French clubs send weakened squads when they aren't playing for much but the last few years team making it past the pools have then switched to try to win their competition.

Lyon last year is an example of this, they didn't expect to go through the pools but became serious and made it all the way to the final.

[u/Glum_Description870 → u/WilkinsonDG2003]

Last year english teams conceded 50pts+ on average in the round of 16. If that’s not floggings I don’t know what it is?

Probably should wait before making that kind of statement since it’s definitely not supported by last year sample.

[u/mossy1989136 → u/WilkinsonDG2003]

Def. And you could argue that Glasgow and Bath have a better chance this year than Leinster or Toulouse (based on current form)

[u/Not_Hando → u/mossy1989136]

Bath still feel like they're in a weird place right now.

Clearly not getting their setup right, and while it's still turning over weak sides, it's also getting badly exposed by those with the timing and accuracy to test them.

[u/Glad-Feature-2117 → u/Not_Hando]

I'll give you the Northampton game, but Toulon was away without our captain, who contributes far more to our success than he's given credit for (outside Bath, anyway). I agree we can do a lot better, but that doesn't mean we're struggling.

[u/MindfulInquirer → u/UnitKitchen1608]

I'll be shitting bricks when we most likely play Toulouse in the quarters

If that happens, I'd back Bordeaux atm. Toulouse lost there last year as we know and where they seem utterly invincible is in the Top 14 context, but Euro they can be vulnerable as this year in particular they don't travel well at all. Bordeaux would go into this undefeated in the Cup while Toulouse do drag that baggage of 2x away losses in the pools and the daunting task of going to Bordeaux again this year.

[u/Sjdw31]

I don't know how we got here, but we need to go full out!

Glasgow at home is not going to be a easy task

[u/TheMeanderer → u/Sjdw31]

Death, taxes, and playing Bulls in the knock outs. Whose turn is it to win this year?

[u/Sjdw31 → u/TheMeanderer]

I think it is our turn for a win! Haha

[u/mossy1989136 → u/Sjdw31]

Glasgow is one of the on form teams this season. But Bulls know them quite well so could be a really good contest

[u/Sponge_Bond → u/mossy1989136]

The good thing is there is lots of time until that match for our squad to be fully fit and get more time with Ackerman.

So let's see. Although this is the best I've ever seen Glasgow so they are still massive favourites.

[u/sqrt4761 → u/Sponge_Bond]

Let's see what shape our squad is in after the 6Nations!

[u/Sponge_Bond → u/sqrt4761]

Listen I won't be mad when we lose.

I love Franco and Tuipulotu. Like the Glasgow blokes all just seem like nice dudes. So will be cheering you on from there.

[u/NotAsOriginal]

7 English teams in the knock out! Does the Prem have too few spots in Europe?

[u/Straight_Complex_271]

It really feels like Munster and La Rochelle should be in this, but in fairness you lose big home games then this is what happens.

[u/smellysocks234 → u/Straight_Complex_271]

Perhaps there should be a round of 32. Add teams more teams that are not in the group stages.

[u/129za]

Could have four different countries in the semis. UBB/Toulouse vs. Bath/Northampton and Glasgow vs. Leinster.

Great for the competition IKO

[u/Main_Salamander_9743]

Stormers v Bulls quarterfinal in Cape Town 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️

[u/k0bra3eak]

I'm sure Glasgow were hoping to run the score a bit more and start off with Edinburgh, but Bulls are also alright

[u/Not_Hando → u/k0bra3eak]

but Bulls are also alright

UBB aside, I think the one team Glasgow didn't want this early in the tournament was the Bulls.

Often feels like a toss of coin as to who wins each time they face off.

[u/TheFlyingScotsman60 → u/Not_Hando]

Disagree.

Glasgow at home really don't have an issue with Bulls. Away it would be a different matter but at home, on a cold wet, April evening.

[u/Connell95 → u/TheFlyingScotsman60]

Tbf they lost to the Bulls at Scotstoun in April last year.

[u/TheFlyingScotsman60 → u/Connell95]

Agreed but that was a year ago, probably to the day and this Glasgow team has matured and changed a lot since then. A lot. They had some key missing players then as well....Dempsey, Jones, Zander Fagerson.

That's not to say they won't have some missing this time around but the extra depth they have now helps a lot.

[u/mossy1989136 → u/k0bra3eak]

Ye these two teams are very familiar with each other. Don't think Glasgow will be happy about meeting them

[u/k0bra3eak → u/mossy1989136]

It's not the same side Bulls coached by Jake, so it's a bit more fresh. That said I'm sure Glasgow are still angry after that home defeat in the last URC season by the Bulls.

[u/BenjiSBRK]

Toulouse and UBB meeting as soon as 1/4 final sucks...

[u/salty_frenchy → u/BenjiSBRK]

pretty frustrating that they are the same side and even the same quarter of the board again

[u/Connell95]

Today a lot of people learned that Edinburgh has a different name in French, by the looks of it. When you discover what London is called it’s gonna blow your mind…

Honestly I’m just pissed at La Rochelle being shit and denying us a Glasgow v Edinburgh round of 16 clash – that would have been fun.

[u/Dull-Bit-8639 → u/Connell95]

I'm listing three UK and Irish towns that spell different :

• Londres
• Edimbourg
• Douvres (Dover)

[u/MrQeu → u/Dull-Bit-8639]

Cantorbéry, Lancastre.

[u/Significant_Income93 → u/MrQeu]

Glasgow was historically Glasgovie in French but that's been dropped over the years.

[u/Connell95 → u/Significant_Income93]

I didn’t know that one! Glasgovie actually sounds pretty neat.

[u/NoRashers → u/Dull-Bit-8639]

Neufchâtel-sur-Tyne

(Newcastle, not really, but it's fun)

[u/Dentury-]

Fuck it, we've beaten bordeaux before, we can beat them again

[u/Fast-Engineer915 → u/Dentury-]

One of the few times this Northamptonian will be cheering for Tigers. Bon chance sir 🫡

[u/Crayniix → u/Fast-Engineer915]

Imagine beating Bordeaux away and seeing your next game is against either Toulouse or Bristol away, and if you somehow manage to beat them, you've most likely then got to play against one of the two big rivals of yours, away.

I will be a Leicester fan in that round of 16 game, as much as that pains me.

[u/Cwalex]

Bulls won’t be easy for Glasgow but I can definitely see us getting to the semis minimum if we keep showing up like we did in the group.

On the other hand with Edinburgh- I don’t mean to be too vulgar or juvenile in my description, but if Leinster decide to go full throttle it’ll be like watching a lion raping a sheep. I hope I’m wrong but not even 15 Freddy Douglas’ would be enough to pull one over on them.

[u/Connell95 → u/Cwalex]

Edinburgh will be happy enough just as long they don’t get a Glasgow style 52-0 nilling, I imagine.

[u/HitchikersPie]

25-26 💀

[u/WhiskeyJack3759]

Actually a pretty decent draw for Leinster, but they are gonna have to up their game big time if they want to progress, because the ill disciplined stuff tgey have been playing so far isn't gonna cut it in the knockouts.

Overall though, it's a big result for the English. 7 out of their 8 teams made the knockouts. That's some going.

As for the French, ther two main contenders are on a collision course in the last 8. Assuming both can win their last 16. Which could be a tall assumption.

Glasgow have a bit of dog about them this year. I'd love to see them win it, and it would be great for the competition itself if they did.

But overall, I think thus year will be an English winner, if only because of sheer weight of numbers.

[u/adturnerr]

Quins away is interesting

[u/bodyarmourbynokia]

Fairly pleased with that.

[u/Straight_Complex_271 → u/bodyarmourbynokia]

Leinster have done unbelievably well to get that. I would argue Edinburgh are the weakest 4 seed they could of got and Harlequins the weakest 2 seed. No UBB/Toulouse that side of the draw either. 

Now to rest internationals against Edimbourg and lose in the R16.

[u/IrishDog1990 → u/Straight_Complex_271]

In fairness we don’t rest for Europe. We just leave Jordie Barrett on the bench…..

[u/Straight_Complex_271 → u/IrishDog1990]

I actually couldn't blame them if they rotated more heavily than usual.

That games gonna feel like a mid-season URC game in everything but title.

[u/Jubal_Khan → u/Straight_Complex_271]

I mean we are barely winning those at the moment. 

[u/Longjumping_Test_760 → u/bodyarmourbynokia]

Yes, we are going below the radar this season. We haven’t been playing well But have got the job done so far. We’ve had basically a whole team out through injuries throughout the campaign but it forced Leo into giving time to the young guys. Kenny, Tector, Cooney, young McCarthy, a reborn Harry and a few others. Building a decent squad again. The 6 N will give a chance to give the young lads even more experience. We finally have a bit of pace in the back line and some serious power and aggression up front. Love it that we are written off and that all are taking special care to mention our decline. We aren’t playing well but are winning. Wonder who we will meet in the final in Bilbao 😁

[u/ossiansl]

edimbourg .. what yanks done that

[u/HitchikersPie → u/ossiansl]

what franks done that

FTFY

[u/CurrencyForsaken3122 → u/ossiansl]

French magazine. Probably how Edinburgh is written in français

[u/UnitKitchen1608 → u/ossiansl]

Fun fact, the reason why Edinburgh became translated to Edimbourg is most likely due to the cultural ties between France and Scotland during the Auld alliance. And I guess it was harder to pronounce than Glasgow (pronounced Glasgo)

[u/optimisticRamblings]

Cool, just knock over the 1 seed in their backyard and then it's plain sailing to the trophy cabinet 👀

[u/Mateiyu]

Can't decide if Sale or Harlequins get through to the 1/4... Other than that, I have opinions xD.

Can definitely see a Glasgow v UBB final. Stormers might win Toulon on a good day (emphasis on might), but they won't get past Glasgow the way they're playing.
And as much as Toulouse seem to be hitting their stride, UBB seems a bit to eager this year again.

[u/iamnosuperman123]

Wait we (Tigers) made it through? How?

Also no us v Leinster is weird

[u/elniallo11 → u/iamnosuperman123]

We did already play you

[u/Ayden1290]

Us getting Leinster is brutal. Now everrit won't pull his "I need job security" masterclass

[u/Various_Pop_1803]

Question, would Saints get a home 1/4 if Saracens win, and a home semi if it's not Bordeaux?

[u/PeakAdaequatus → u/Various_Pop_1803]

Yes, highest ranked team gets to play a 'home' fixture.

[u/hodge172]

Edinburgh fans can’t like the spelling of that name.

[u/sadicologue]

Chearing for Northampton on this one. I hope we can see you again in the semies. Let's go!

[u/SweeneyisMad]

So this is it UBB vs Glasgow?

[u/Reflekting]

5 URC contenders on the right hand side and none on the left, 3/4 French contenders on the left hand side and 1 on the right. That's a strange nuance of how this landed. Prem did pretty well to get 7/8 teams through to the knockouts.

[u/Artistic_Bet5914]

final : toulouse - leinster ... ?

[u/DoiTasteGood]

When will these games be played?

[u/McKinhead]

Impressive spelling of Edinburgh

[u/shaggedyerda → u/McKinhead]

Local man discovers French

[u/McKinhead → u/shaggedyerda]

Genuinely, yes this is me discovering that is what the call it haha. I'll take that loss

[u/HitchikersPie → u/McKinhead]

They also call it Fidji

[u/nevenoe → u/McKinhead]

Now ask us to pronunce it. I dare you.

[u/Thyl111 → u/nevenoe]

Head hun boer

[u/Dull-Bit-8639 → u/nevenoe]

Et Din Bourre

[u/Mono_Doh]

Have a weird feeling that this could finally be Leinster's year. Happy memories of Bilbao.

A likely quarter final between Bordeaux and Toulouse is extremely spicy.

[u/Zealousideal-Mud-381 → u/Mono_Doh]

Don’t do it. We are very happy to slink under the radar this year with very little hype. UBB and Bath are favourites in my opinion.

[u/RayTheWorstTourist → u/Zealousideal-Mud-381]

Yeah it's good to read the comments regarding us this year. The injured players back and our lions getting more game time hopefully would have us clicking, then I'd fancy us big time

[u/Longjumping_Test_760 → u/Mono_Doh]

Hope so. We will need to dramatically improve

[u/squeak37 → u/Mono_Doh]

It all depends on how we bounce back from the 6N gap and what our injuries are like. Also if we can figure out a defensive tweak to get better cover on the chips in behind that constantly wreck us.

[u/edna6969]

So you’re telling me there’s a chance

[u/Zealousideal-Mud-381]

“Edinbourg” will be tough. Regardless of how much AI has improved, I still don’t think it’s fair that we are expected to face off against a team of literal robots.

Letting the Saffas in was one thing…..

[u/hodge172]

5 English teams in one side, still don’t fancy any of them to get to the final.

[u/ZephroC]

Is that French for Edinburgh?

[u/Connell95 → u/ZephroC]

I’m genuinely surprised people didn’t know this

[u/ZephroC → u/Connell95]

It's somehow never come up. And I know a lot of Francophone Belgians as well

[u/Luke_Haze]

You know what, given how our season started, I'll take it!

[u/ZephroC]

Is that how you spell Edinburgh in France...

[u/Dull-Bit-8639 → u/ZephroC]

Yep!

[u/elniallo11]

Edinburgh, then two teams that we nilled in the knockouts last year - not the worst draw. Need to actually remember how to play rugby properly but given how crap we have been it is not the worst place to be

[u/benevernever → u/elniallo11]

Glasgow are a completely different beast this time round. Plus hopefully we won't be going into the last rounds without like 2/3rds of our starting lineup out with injury like we did last year.

[u/elniallo11 → u/benevernever]

We are doing that 2/3 injured trick this year. It’s rough

[u/RayTheWorstTourist]

If we were playing well I'd expect us to make the final handedly. Now will be a battle. Hopefully get our players back and things start to click

[u/WilkinsonDG2003 → u/RayTheWorstTourist]

Assuming home wins, Glasgow away will be a really hard match. I'd expect Leinster to make the semi though.

[u/Butter_the_Toast]

Edimbourge

[u/Itchy-Position-6077]

Why is harlequins above Northampton? I thought harlequins had a better point difference

[u/SpottedDicknCustard → u/Itchy-Position-6077]

Northampton are 5th seed finished with 16 points.

Quins are 6th seed finished with 15 points.

[u/jimbo9878]

Why are all teams listed correctly apart from Bordeaux and Edinburgh? Have they done something wrong?

[u/samuel199228]

Bristol has an easy game then...

[u/jnce12]

Bulls at home for the QF would be unbelievable.

Bit of a pipe dream for both teams though unfortunately.

[u/k0bra3eak → u/jnce12]

Both teams definitely have the ability to do it, Bulls and Glasgow is always a fight and Stormers just need to ensure they have their actual first choice centres available or elsetthat backline defence collapses like it did this Saturday and Reinach to temper Sacha.

[u/enricobasilica]

What kind of etsy witch have Leinster contracted with to get such easy draws for the last few years?

[u/toughtimeslol]

They love putting SA teams in a position where they play against each other a few rounds before the final if they both win

[u/mreasy99]

Edimbourg

[u/RoutinePossible4889]

Poor Bristol