The UAFC

Wee_man_on-the_hill wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 9:31 pm Just watched the video with Dan following him around for the day.. noticed around 4 minutes or so in when they post a team sheet Timoney is down at hooker… something to read into

That was a couple of games ago when Stewart was looking more likely to end up at the WC, as he still could of course.

It’s worth trying these things isn’t it? JVDF in the 6N…

Wee Mike on the wing too which we’ll probably see more of during the season.

Sure we have a world class 10

justinr73 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:50 am

Wee_man_on-the_hill wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 9:31 pm Just watched the video with Dan following him around for the day.. noticed around 4 minutes or so in when they post a team sheet Timoney is down at hooker… something to read into

That was a couple of games ago when Stewart was looking more likely to end up at the WC, as he still could of course.

It’s worth trying these things isn’t it? JVDF in the 6N…

Wee Mike on the wing too which we’ll probably see more of during the season.

Well Addison fit is 15 all day long. Remember with Hansen a converted 10, having a baller on the wing isn’t a bad idea. Lowrys pace and size could cause issues - France have villiers and a very similar sized newbee too.

I just hope they keep their word and we use our backs (and stay fit) - we have potential to play some great stuff. Add in the young dynamic forwards - could be exciting.

Rory Sutherland landed with a new club, announced by Oyonnax yesterday

DodgyEverything wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 10:11 am Rory Sutherland landed with a new club, announced by Oyonnax yesterday

Great news. Pleased for Rory

Interesting rule change with the top 8 teams now automatically qualifying from URC. A fairer system but still ridiculous that England is allowed 8 qualifiers from a 10 team league.

The BKT United Rugby Championship will introduce full meritocracy for EPCR qualification starting from this season (2023/24).

In a change from the previous qualification method employed by the BKT URC for the previous two campaigns, all eight top-ranked teams from the league table will qualify for the Investec Champions Cup with the remaining sides taking their place in the Challenge Cup.

The winners of the regional Shields will no longer be awarded a place into the Champions Cup and the primary way to qualify from the BKT URC is to finish in the top eight after the 18-round regular season.

Should a BKT URC team win the Champions or Challenge Cups without finishing among the top-ranked teams in the league table, they will receive a place in the Champions Cup. In such an event, the team that finishes eighth in BKT URC will be placed into the Challenge Cup.

The previous qualification method was designated for review in the summer of 2023. At this point the league’s Sports & Regulatory Committee recommended the return to meritocracy. As a consequence, the Shield winners will now be determined by the games played amongst the teams within their regional group.

Sense

Meritocracy? Crazy

big mervyn wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 3:19 pm Meritocracy? Crazy

Not really a meritocracy until they ignore 2 of the derby/shield matches in reckoning league points.

So on last years standings, there would be no Italian or Welsh teams involved. Qualifiers would have been 4 Irish, 3 Saffers and Glasgow. While merit is primary, I'm not sure that I'm at ease with two nations not being represented. Ingerland having 8 representatives out of 10 is a lot more galling. Do the French only have six teams involved?

solidarity wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:14 pm So on last years standings, there would be no Italian or Welsh teams involved. Qualifiers would have been 4 Irish, 3 Saffers and Glasgow. While merit is primary, I'm not sure that I'm at ease with two nations not being represented. Ingerland having 8 representatives out of 10 is a lot more galling. Do the French only have six teams involved?

All three leagues have 8 representatives.

Cormac wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:22 pm

solidarity wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:14 pm So on last years standings, there would be no Italian or Welsh teams involved. Qualifiers would have been 4 Irish, 3 Saffers and Glasgow. While merit is primary, I'm not sure that I'm at ease with two nations not being represented. Ingerland having 8 representatives out of 10 is a lot more galling. Do the French only have six teams involved?

All three leagues have 8 representatives.

Who gets the most number of representatives is also influenced by TV exposure.. There is a bigger audience in France and England.

Thanks for both bits info, Jets. Makes more sense now.

Stephen Ferris insists heads will likely roll at Ulster Rugby should the province’s performances fail to improve following the recent installation of an artificial surface at Ravenhill.
Belfast Telegraph.

In other news grass is green

Hopefully Neil can confirm but is it only the Glasgow game on 25th nov that isn't available free to air on tv this side of Christmas? Providing rte and tg4 are viewable?