Heineken Cup 2020/21

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Neill_M
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Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by Neill_M »

The Swiss Nigels have confirmed the format for the 20/21 H Cup and it's a head melter. Starts 2nd weekend of December.

24 teams, 2 groups x 12. Top 4 in each group progress to H Cup 2 Legged QF, teams 5-8 drop into Challenge Cup knockout round with the 8/14 sides from the group phase in that competition. Round of 16, QF etc all 1 leg.

Ulster currently in Tier 2, can become Tier 1 if they win Semi Final. The rules for the 2020/21 Cup state that if an already qualified team via the league not in the domestic final wins the 19/20 H Cup, they became that's league no 2 side in Tier 1 and the losing finalists are in Tier 2.

If Tier 2 side, they will play home and away v a Tier 3 English and French side. So 5th/6th in Prem and either Clermont/La Rochelle. 4 pool games.

If Tier 1 side, will face Tier 4 sides (7th/8th/Tigers*) Prem and one of Toulouse/Montpellier/Castres*

Montpellier currently in 8th, but get bumped out if Castres win Challenge Cup. Tigers can also win Challenge Cup and bump out 8th (currently Gloucester).
Last edited by Neill_M on Wed Sep 02, 2020 7:28 pm, edited 4 times in total.
germcevoy
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by germcevoy »

More teams qualify than don’t? Takes a bit of shine off the ‘elite’ aspect. Still an interesting format.
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big mervyn
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by big mervyn »

Maybe we'll win the Parker Pen.
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Neill_M
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by Neill_M »

germcevoy wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 11:56 am More teams qualify than don’t? Takes a bit of shine off the ‘elite’ aspect. Still an interesting format.
If you finish 8th or higher in your group, you have European rugby post January.
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solidarity
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by solidarity »

Head melter is absolutely right. Why make it so confusing?

Am I off the mark to say that it's all about maximising the ££££ for everyone? More advertising for Heineken and team sponsors, tv revenue etc etc.

Cynical, me? Never.
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BR
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by BR »

To be fair, it's more logical than the Pro14. That's about as much as I can say about it.
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germcevoy
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by germcevoy »

Tier 1 seeding confirmed.
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by justinr73 »

Excellent. Let’s hope we’re allowed to ‘take our own lives into our own hands’ by actually going to the games.
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by Neill_M »

So our French opposition will be one of Toulouse/Montpellier/Castres and our English opposition will be one of Gloucester/Harlequins/Tigers (4 games still to be played)

Castres/Tigers need to win Challenge Cup
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by justinr73 »

All pretty good alternatives.

Not sure how much longer I can deal with not going to the games.
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big mervyn
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by big mervyn »

Would have been nice if LI were in that mix. Too far adrift unfortunately.
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by Neill_M »

So Heineken Cup Draw for the 2020/21 Tournament is on Wednesday October 28th. The format is interesting to say the least. Here are the basics (hopefully). Ulster reached the Pro 14 final and will be a Tier 1 side in a group of 12.

The top 4 in the group along with the top 4 from the other group of 12 go into 2 legged Heineken Cup Quarter Finals.
Positions 5-8 in each group go into the round of 16 of the Challenge Cup along with the top 8 sides from the 14 team Challenge Cup group.

Ulster will face Toulouse/Montpellier and Northampton/Gloucester home and away. They start at home v the French side on weekend of December 11-13, the following weekend travel to England. On Jan 15-17, they will host the Premiership side and then travel to France on Jan 22-24.

So who will be in Ulster’s group? It will be:

Pro 14 Tier 1 Ulster
Top 14 Tier 1 (Bordeaux/Lyon)
Premiership Tier 1 (Exeter/Wasps)
Pro 14 Tier 2 (Munster/Edinburgh)
Top 14 Tier 2 (R92/Toulon)
Premiership Tier 2 (Bristol/Bath)
Pro 14 Tier 3 (Scarlets/Connacht)
Top 14 Tier 3 (La Rochelle/Clermont)
Premiership Tier 3 (Sale/Harlequins)
Pro 14 Tier 4 (Glasgow/Dragons)
Top 14 Tier 4 (Toulouse/Montpellier)
Premiership Tier 4 (Northampton/Gloucester)
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by Bangors »

Clea as mud
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big mervyn
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by big mervyn »

Bangors wrote: Mon Oct 19, 2020 5:31 pmClea as mud
It's hard to find the motivation to get your head 'round it.
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solidarity
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Re: Heineken Cup 2020/21

Post by solidarity »

Nope, head nowhere near round it. :scratch: :scratch: :scratch:

You must have a serious postgraduate degree in something, Neill.
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