CHAMPIONS CUP HOPE OR DELUSION? Can an English club actually win the thing? Round of 16 Analysis

CHAMPIONS CUP HOPE OR DELUSION? Can an English club actually win the thing? Round of 16 Analysis. Harlequins v Glasgow, Exeter v Bath, Leinster v Leicester, Northampton v Munster
-----------------------
Rugby artwork in background courtesy of Blair Skivington www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BlrArtGB

[@Markpool]

To answer the question, no chance, the French clubs and Leinster are just too powerful I'm afraid.

[@MegaPatricklee]

Leinster were poor though

[@JoseStev]

probably, sadly from my perspective

[@jimbo4890]

Add Bulls to that list

[@DM-rp9ik]

As an Irish fan who watched a lot of KO rugby over the last 20 years, Leinster and Munster would get to semi finals and that was seen as par. But an away KO game in France is the grave yard of their challenges. The good French teams can be unplayable at home. Look what La rochelle did to Exeter in the KO last year. At some point all the English teams will be travelling to very hard venues, and I just can't see them winning in. And it's no shame very fee teams do.

[@AlfredTheGreatestEver]

If saints pick their biggest pack, they can match the power and size of the french guys and Leinster (except la Rochelle, who no one can). Waller, Langdon, Davidson, Mayanavanua, Moon, Ludlam, Lawes, Augustas. The problem comes when they go to the bench, and graham replaces augustas, davidson comes off, and there are only 2 massive locks in moon and mayanavanua (coles is the best lock we have but he does struggle with the size at the top level). The backline speaks for itself, and if the pack can match the opposition upfront and keep the power game vaguely even, i back fin smith against anyone to manage the games territory, and the rest of the backline to outscore anyone else.

[@boatman6865]

Can’t see anyone getting near Tolouse, La Rochelle, Leinster

[@damon6832]

UBB ?

[@jmurphy9657]

Chuck in Bordeaux maybe. They or Toulouse for the win

[@kerrylass2]

Fair play to Munster as they didnt use it as an excuse but apparently a bug(stomach virus) had been sweeping through the camp the last week. Thats why RG Snyman pulled out the last minute and apparently several played even though unwell...craig casey was seen throwing up on the pitch! Unfortunate,

[@daithipol]

Didn't use it as an excuse but keep talking g about it 😅

[@gregm9447]

The English teams over the weekend are decent, but nowhere near Leinster and underpowered vs big French packs.

[@amantedellopera1681]

Leinster playing below average we’re still way too good for Leicester,that’s scary when you see them score 3trys in twenty mins and all by Gibson park,if they were playing near their best they would have scored another few try’s easily

[@jamesp-j2504]

Have been a lifelong saints fan, Really loved this weekend of great rugby. Though Hendy is an exciting player I think it is still early days and I believe one of his weaknesses is recovering the high ball as he tends to knock it on quite a bit. But an amazing English prospect who I hope we will see a lot of in the future!

[@conwayniall]

Unlikely, but not impossible..Saints probably have the best chance of the English clubs to progress to a SF.

[@JosephFallon]

Really excellent commentary Rich -bang on in your game reviews. I reckon Northampton could do the Bulls. Also, as a chronic "Tolouse" punner myself - perhaps we could start to call them 'Stade Tolousain" ? This might help. But, fortunately , I don't think your case is as severe as mine.

[@Camcolito]

Champions Cup is really interesting this year, so many good matchups even at the last 16 stage. The English teams are pretty solid I think one of them could spring an upset.

[@miccharlie]

The difference with the backs shining at the moment is their physicality. Freeman, hendy, feyi-woboso - theyre quick, agile, but also have the leg drive to make a few extra yards and disrupt a defence

[@davidbibey3013]

Unlikely given the power of Bulls and Leinster

[@MU-TH-UR]

As a french, i don't see either Exeter or Quins wining away against Toulouse and UBB. I do love Quins, probably my favourite English side, has been for years, and hopefully this game will be a try feast between 2 electric backlines, but i do think the Bordelais have too much in them and will win in the end. That should be close though, i expect Quins to keep going at it til the very end. ST vs UBB : heart says Bordeaux, for i 'd love to see their entertaining game be rewarded at the highest level, but they are unknown quantity at this level of competition, pressure might get on them so Head says the much more experienced Toulouse to win fair and square. Leinster vs La Rochelle is going to be interesting, it's going to be a mind game between those 2. Hard to predict My money is on Northampton to win it vs Bulls, but not by much. Thats being said i don't see them going past either Lein or LaRog.

[@willk1756]

It seems very unlikely The quality is spread too thinly in the English game (compared to Leinster) and few English teams have the resources to bring to bear the depth of power, which the french heavyweight teams can muster.

[@Nologogo]

Saracens didnt breach any European salary cap so that doesnt undermine any European victories, that was more a premiership issue. I say that as a Leinster fan.

[@freetimefoster]

"Roots bangs all day" 😂

[@johnoconnell2446]

Northampton to beat bulls would be a great result. SA pundits continue to dismiss all opposition as usual. Come on Northampton.

[@connorpope8932]

Good video, like branching out. For the Exeter game I wouldn't say Bath were the better in the first half, they hung on and took a couple of chances but for the most part Exeter were battering on their line

[@videoaddict961]

First time I’d clocked Hendy today but can’t say I’m against an England call up from what I saw

[@kev63inuk]

Seen Hendy a fair amount and totally agree . Sure he’s on Borthwicks radar.

[@sisyphusonlunch5541]

I think Northampton have a chance in the semis. Their attack was a bit off today compared to what they've produced this season but still too much for Munster. Not as impressed with Lenster as you were, thought Tigers matched them physically and shoved their scrum around at times. Difficult to see the winner not being French for me.

[@jemhallcoach]

Great video, keep it up. Maybe some commentary on the Premiership run in too?

[@rugbyanalyst]

Yup that's the plan 🤞

[@jemhallcoach]

@@rugbyanalyst great, thank you. Keep em coming, love your work and it is appreciated :)

[@petewood3493]

Given that Leicester were missing Martin, Chessum and Reffell (who I think would have narrowed the gap), I think they did okay and certainly didn’t embarrass themselves.

[@iandouglas5149]

In 2 European competitions, 16 matches, were 3 away victories. Home advantage is huge. In addition 2 away teams (La Rochelle and Bulls) have to travel from Souh Africa that's a tough ask. Wouldn't be surprised if it's 4 home victories.

[@jean-pascalesparceil9008]

English players are doing very well in the TOP 14 championship, Jack Willis is one of the key players of Stade Toulousain, as Joe Simmons with Section Paloise. Can English clubs draw them back with salaries and hope for titles?

[@user-lc2nq2vu1m]

surely the tournament will be opened up with Leinster playing La Rochelle is the next round as one of the favourites will be knocked out

[@aha3411]

Was at the quins game was a very good game

[@user-of1rq8mo8d]

Well, unsurprisingly I would say no. All the other teams left in the cup have budgets more than double the English teams. This clearly gives them an enormous advantage. Northampton have the best chance, but semi final is probably the best they can do

[@tonygiff1859]

I love the Champion's Cup, Mainly to see how well European teams manage playing against South Africian teams in South Africa

[@whitebear5405]

I think the Northampton picture will become alot clearer after the Bulls game if they can match them physically.

[@paulmulryne8405]

Nope. The big teams will make Quins and Saints look ordinary. Hard to compete with the physical size of the best teams in the competition.

[@jimbo4890]

Rich I think you need to be a little more considerate of how you phrase things at times, Sarries clearly broke the salary cap, but for those that follow it less it is worth caveatting that cap is one imposed by the domestic league not the cup itself, pretty sure Sarries were competing with considerably less budget than some of the top 14 clubs and possible Leinster, I get our domestic clubs being upset but don’t think that’s relevant to conversations about this comp, for the record I am not a Sarries fan, generally just enjoy the sport now since Wasps demise. I’d agree with pretty much all your other points, going back to the salary cap thing that will continue to limit prem sides in the competition let’s face it, French teams seem to have sooo much more money it isn’t an issue, Leinster through the central contract system get way more than other provinces so are not subjected to the same level of sprinkling of the star dust as you pretty aptly put it, then you have SA teams who seem to have a seemingly limitless pool of top quality depth.

[@sisyphusonlunch5541]

Hendy was brilliant, better than Hodge, whom was run over badly the other week too. Hendy looks stronger and is only 21. Feyi-Waboso generates world class power for his size, he'll be touring with the lions and probably starting for them. Rich, Tommy Freeman has been great this season, any chance of him playing 12 for England? He would seem to have the physical attributes. I'd be giving that a go on the NZ tour.

[@Camcolito]

Looks class, some pace on him!

[@rugbyanalyst]

It would be interesting but he'd have to have played there a bit for club first. Plus since he was a constant on the wing in the six nations and never went to centre indicates to me he is seen as a winger ATM. If there was a queue of established wings he might have more chance but at the moment he seems the most likely to be picked on the wings going forward. I'd try Ollie Hartley there first of all I think, but if love to see freeman be moved to centre from wing towards the end of games

[@saschawickham7497]

You didn’t mention Leiscter were missing George Martin, chessum, reffell and Joe Heyes. Not the best that they could possibly play if they didn’t have those guys.

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Possibly Northampton but they face the Bulls. For winners it is hard to look beyond Toulouse, Leinster and La Rochelle and Bordeaux.

[@Alias-gy3tz]

I think they can :)

[@Dreyno]

Leicester’s last try put a gloss on it. Leinster were completely switched off by then. They were easily 20 points better.

[@daviiidoff]

Also think Leinster had one eye on next week too

[@neiljudd2884]

You are never going to see full superstar teams in England as the salary cap doesn’t allow it. Which is why the English sides are always at a disadvantage playing the Top 14 and URC teams. I understand the rationale for the cap but if it continues we will have no eligible international level English players as they will all be in France to earn their money.

[@Johan-rg3vo]

Leinster, la Rochelle, Toulouse would all beat Northampton home and away...I actually think la Rochelle will beat Leinster in Aviva and win cup 3 years in a row...if Leinster prevail, they will prevail. Munster side today have poor front row and missing key players in Oli jagger, rg snyman

[@nojosm]

Are the salary caps in each league the same and equal for all ?

[@patrickchilds2987]

No they not.

[@Ian-gj1gw]

Northampton look class. Wouldn't want to come against them

[@daithipol]

If Bath could do us all a favour and beat Bordeaux..that would be nice

[@Burninglash]

Bulls not ready yet. Probably loose the quarters this year. Not expecting bulls to be good enough in depth this year. Maybe 2 or 3 more years of development to be competitive enough to be a finals contender. Hope I am wrong

[@pscot9620]

Leinster in trouble at 10

[@dazeng4633]

They can't win it...this year but we're playing the right rugby and leading the change

[@robw7676]

England are short of heavyweight 12s because we pigeonhole physical players into the pack. Ted Hill ran half the length of the field with a couple of yards start on Hodge and Feyi-Waboso and scored - him, Earl, Sam Simmonds etc... are more than quick enough to have played 12.

[@joeboonmusic4004]

Very true... Everyone wants to play 7/8! I hope coaches at age-group level start seeing this obvious trend... put Henry Pollock at 12, for example, he's small for a 7!

[@Bpt8825]

Home advantage ruled

[@ConorOLeary-rl4bs]

Personally they wouldn’t be up there but who knows. I would have said Leinster but they have been a bit poor. Well poor is strong, not what they have been. The SA teams no unless at home. Bordeaux and Toulouse look the best so far. Northampton looked ok but only just beat a second string Munster.

[@reynaldparisel3852]

Next winners : Bordeaux-Bègles ; Bulls ; Stade toulousain 🤭

[@jordannangwala4608]

There’s no salary cap in europe

[@sc1837]

Considering the strength of that Munster team I would not be worried about Northampton.

[@101MIGHTYJOE]

Eng teams are not strong enough to win let alone make the final with teams like toulouse, leinster, bordoux and saffers

[@Driver2616]

Can an English team win the competition? In all honesty, no. There isn’t an English club right now that’s good enough. The winner will come from any one of Toulouse, Bordeaux, Leinster, Bulls or La Rochelle. Semi final line up, early prediction - Leinster v Bulls & Toulouse v Bordeaux.

[@EdgarJnrJnr]

No they wont

[@malibongwelekae7110]

😂 to lose