The UAFC

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).

More teams qualify than don’t? Takes a bit of shine off the ‘elite’ aspect. Still an interesting format.

Maybe we'll win the Parker Pen.

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.

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.

To be fair, it's more logical than the Pro14. That's about as much as I can say about it.

Tier 1 seeding confirmed.

Excellent. Let’s hope we’re allowed to ‘take our own lives into our own hands’ by actually going to the games.

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

All pretty good alternatives.

Not sure how much longer I can deal with not going to the games.

Would have been nice if LI were in that mix. Too far adrift unfortunately.

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)

Clea as mud

Bangors wrote: ↑Mon Oct 19, 2020 5:31 pmClea as mud

It's hard to find the motivation to get your head 'round it.

Nope, head nowhere near round it.

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