SUNDAY MORNING TAKEAWAYS | CHAMPIONS CUP ROUND 2

[@stephenljbyrne]

Leinster fan here - the Saints take the competition seriously and fair play great result

[@AlfredTheGreatestEver]

I still think 5 more mins last season, and we'd have won at Croke Park (that hissing sound is my copium tank pressure increasing)

[@johannblignaut1966]

Congratulations to Northampton Saints from a Bulls fan.Incredible performance taken heat and altitude.Pollock going to play for England sooner than later.Alex Mitchell should make any match day squad in the world.Like Finn Smith too.

[@craigclark2413]

Couldn't agree more about Pollard. 8 from 8 conversions, first three from touchline. Another thing about him is every time he kicks a penalty for touch he puts it on the 5m for lineouts.. which not many other 10s do with the same consistency... which is HUGE in the bigger picture of the game. BMT is second to none... game management 2nd to none... should start for boks with Sasha off bench

[@dylanpalmer5067]

Take away the line out, I think the Leinster v Claremont was a cracking game. Proper end to end rugby

[@JD-qn5dv]

As a leinster fan I found it a bit disappointing by the end, some great defence by them but seeing so many of their attacks being knocked on right at the finish line was frustrating. Im under the opinion barrett and snyman are best served on bench as impact

[@davidwalker2402]

@@JD-qn5dvagree, but positive was how prendergast is growing into number 10 spot. Leinster scrum really good but lineout needs work.

[@drFrancoisGriesel]

Tim I really enjoy your channel. The values of rugby are close to my heart. Win with humility and lose with dignity etc. As a Bulls fan at the match and without denying North Saints all credit due in my opinion the officiating was diabolical. During the game I noticed at least three deliberate knock-ons by NH which the ref and TMO just turned a blind eye to. After the game I rewatched it and it just confirmed what I saw during the game. I also noticed that a NH player fell onto and was lying totally prone and stretched out on a BUlls player which had made a tackle and therefore could not roll away but the ref immediately awarded NH a penalty. The Bulls were their own worse enemies and did not deserve to win at all. Well done NH on the win well deserved but the officiating had a definite impact on the outcome of the game I am sad to say.

[@WORS06]

In my honest opinion, as a South African, I don't think our teams should play in the Champions or Challenger Cups. We keep on sending 2nd string teams to play in these comps and keep on getting hammered, from what I've seen, our supporters aren't interested in the comps, and that's not a good look for us or the comp. I really like the URC and think the SA supporters are starting to like it too, so I think we should only play in the URC and not in the The Cups. Just my two cents.

[@vp0029]

Sad to see sharks putting out their 2nds

[@fergalbannon4614]

But one country can't favour a league in which every other looks up to the cup. We don't put stars on our shirts for league wins.

[@RobertFall]

Uh… we won the challenge cup last year? But yea. If we can’t take every game seriously then something needs to change. Both SA and EU fielding weakened teams on tour

[@fergalbannon4614]

@@RobertFall you don't put stars on your shirts for Challenge Cups either.

[@Zveebo]

You guys also largely send second string sides to play in the URC also though - I don’t think I’ve ever seen a SA side send a full-strength team on the road outside of knockouts! Withdrawing from the Champions Cup would really knock the confidence of the URC sides that South Africa is serious about club rugby and a good partner to deal with. That would almost certainly start to make arrangements with England look more appealing. I do genuinely wonder why your teams bother spending all that money on Boks when they barely even seem to play? Perhaps concentrating on building out your squads with players that actually are willing to travel to away games and play more than a handful of games each season would be a better use of money?

[@josh-bond97]

If the group stage structure is going to remain the way it is (4 games, 2 home, 2 away) I don’t understand why they don’t group the away games to incentivise a mini “tour” and you know your team that’s leaving is the team that’ll play those two games. I think it would see an increase in squad quality particularly going to and from SA - as they can combine trips

[@jungbolosse3034]

Good logical suggestion

[@Lechef53]

As a Clermont fan, happy with the result since I was expecting a drubbing in Ireland. However, I felt that we could have got the losing bonus point had we not messed up in the second half.

[@JewbacosTacos]

The problem with champions cup is that only teams with very deep pockets are serious contenders. Its impossible for South Africa teams to compete with French teams, Leinster and top 4 english teams away consistently. This means you would choose your battles and also not slip away your URC playoffs chances.

[@Zveebo]

South African teams have plenty big pockets when it comes to hiring Boks in most cases. It just seems to be that whatever arrangement they have with these players means that they basically never travel (if they even play at home).

[@JewbacosTacos]

​@Zveebo still nothing compared to Toulouse, LA Rochelle and Leinster. Also worth noting, those clubs contract players whose main focus is club rugby. The players the shark contracts focus is just to stay fit for international season. Massive difference tho. Furthermore, South Africa also travels more on average per game than any of European team.

[@chrisbossman1978]

You are on the money, SA teams don't have the players, depth or money to compete at elite European level. We should stick to the lower level comps like the URC

[@phil.5030]

@chrisbossman1978 our clubs develop and use our own players, not like your so called elite clubs that just buy foreign players. That is why we have 4 world cup, England has one France and Ireland f_ all

[@jungbolosse3034]

​​@@phil.5030You can’t seem to understand club rugby and international rugby, too much for an obnoxious soccer type saffa dik dik pom pom girl

[@stevieg8356]

Big takeaway is how much England missed Alex Mitchell during the autumn!

[@NTL578]

He's class.

[@Dan1973100]

Love Pollard to bits and pieces, the nr 10 Goat

[@Topaz2008]

❤

[@colmgeiran3476]

This competition will just keep getting better, as it always does in the knockout stages.

[@itsdeclan7733]

The absence of home and away fixtures is a huge loss to the competition.

[@gavindoyle692]

Hi Tim. Going forward, why doesn’t the EPCR reduce the Champions Cup to 16 teams (6 from the Top 14, 6 from the URC, and 4 from the Premiership) - i.e. top 40% of each league? Four groups of 4, home and away, then into quarters, semis and final. So we would be back to the brilliant back-to-back match ups of old, and one would need to play nine matches to lift the trophy, not eight. But the quality would be a lot better by removing all the dead wood.

[@FamousBrouse]

For the rugby fan, you are 100% right, the games would mean more, be of a higher standard, and would be much more competitive. For the sponsors and TV rights, it would be a drop in revenue. Money always wins in our capitalist world 💰

[@edconway8599]

@@FamousBrouseI don’t know if that would be the case because it would surely generate more excitement and interest in the competition through better quality matches with more at stake

[@Dan1973100]

Okay Andrew, livid , because you right, we not taking it seriously

[@Jann__e10]

I would love to see george hendy in the england squad every time he gets on he scores. He looks like a mix of furbank and steward tall, big, strong and fast and good under the highball

[@user-gp1eh3yb2w]

Tough to admit but I feel that South African teams need to move away from this tournament and focus on the URC. Fans are also not fully sold by it unlike the URC. It’s also too much rugby for the Boks players who play throughout the calendar year and they do need a rest. Our teams are diluting the quality of the tournament by fielding 2nd string teams like the Sharks game. It’s a shame but there’s only so much rugby our boys can play. Be fully committed to the tournament or don’t play it at all. PS: once again Tim you were fantastic on the tele yesterday mate 👌

[@RobertFall]

Thing is, the European teams field second string teams on tour to SA as well. There’s just too much rugby.

[@johnlouiswessels6083]

Too much rugby. Need a rest over Christmas season like NZ players.

[@jean-michellae9041]

Truth is the European Cup is the biggest rugby club competition one can be in or one can watch. Asking not to be part of it would be a pity if not a shame for competing clubs and athletes and fans. Truth is also that to compete in it and other ongoing competitions, a club need to have a big pool of competing players. I am a bit tired about this repeated thing about B team. It sounds too much like an excuse and is disrespectfull to the winning team. You may say that clubs with big budget have an advantage, thinking about top14 teams. Of course they have. Nobody said life is fair. But keep in mind also that Top14 teams play more matches than any other countries, and a team like Toulouse for example, misses 11 international players a good part of the season, and for UBB it is 9 …

[@Zveebo]

I do love just how quickly the Le Bip Bip nickname has spread. Always makes me laugh 😅

[@stephenjudge4356]

On the South African teams Tim. might be of no consequence. But perhaps worth noting that there is no off season for these pkayers, which I believe every other nation enjoys? Could contribute to greater nunbers of injuries as well as poor displays (especially at this time of the year). just a thought, not an excuse! they should still be better!

[@tomgreene1843]

Leinster and ireland line out a bit of a basket case ....Leinster will bring home no silverware with that level of play.

[@youinthebluehoodie]

Getting bummed out about the negativity about 'B' teams. In the old format, about a third of the teams had nothing to play for from the third round onwards.

[@lornajohn-lw4jl]

Tim, please do an episode on how all these clubs comps that are on the go work? I asked my rugby knowledgeable son and his response was "only the organisers can make logical sense of this setup"

[@kiaoragin]

I think Leinster continued to struggle in the lineout when Snyman came on. Whatever is wrong should be fixable so it surprises me that it continues on.

[@HuwRowe-Jones]

You never know what team you're going to get, I consistently hear "oh they missing their best players" (typically meaning they're playing the kids) which means unless you check the lineups beforehand it is a 50/50 gamble whether you watch a competitive game or a one sided thumping e.g. Sharks vs Leicester, Racing vs Sale. This weekend has been put me off watching these games unfortunately. `

[@Phil-v61]

Handre Pollard, incredible player.

[@TauCeti973]

I'm sure I saw you on Premier sports at Welford Road yesterday. Nice work.

[@jlsimonable]

Hi Tim Agree with many comments. However i think you are a bit harsh on the competition pool stages. It is the same for all the other big competition with a pool stage ( the World cup with poor games (Italy games) and great games (Ireland/South Africa or France/NZ) There is no way we can bypass the mismatchs at this stage. Great showing of the premiership this round

[@peterp9918]

The counterpoint to this argument is that in the Heineken Cup days the pool stages were superb - there was something riding on every match.

[@Zveebo]

There really wasn’t. By the end, plenty of the games were basically dead rubbers.

[@jandregerber7534]

I find it hard to comprehend the SA franchises not playing their best teams, as we have such a great rotational basis for the Boks.

[@ebw9802]

Straight knock out, proper cup rugby is the only way to go. However not in terms of revenue

[@InsanelyIrish]

Csstres vs Munster was s horrible watch, Castres kept us in the game we were crap. More injuries again Casey's looks bad. There were some great games this weekend so far. Ulster did very well against Bordeaux just got hit late and fast. Bulls as much as I like them are a choke team it seems quality but they just can't finish the important games.

[@zisssssou]

Only takeway: The competition is an european one and it's time for ECPR to forget their shambolic, anti-ecologic, boring pool project with the SA clubs inclusion. Simple. Back to the 4 clubs pools, and 2 qualifiers by pool, inclusion of more scot, welsh, italian or georgian clubs, to reinforce the competition interest and identity.

[@superdrog1819]

If I was in charge I would go back to the format and even the scheduling of the old Heieneken Cup. And if that isn't possible because the French can't do the extra fixture required, I'd just go to a straight knockout competition. Because this pool stage where its harder to get knocked out than qualify are pointless.

[@RobertFall]

Yea. I’m all for fewer teams, fewer fixtures and straight into knockouts.

[@Zveebo]

The English teams have few enough games as is without losing multiple Champions Cup stages. That would genuinely send some of them even closer to bankruptcy than they already are. If you were moving back to the old model, you would also need to dramatically reduce the number of English teams participating (8/10 is just insane and a relic of a bygone age).

[@kropotkine9640]

The French were doing great with the Heineken format... Where do you get your info that it's not possible because they won't do the extra fixture? For me the problem is the arrival of South African teams, it's not really en European Championship when some teams are from the far end of Africa

[@RobertFall]

@@Zveebo Isn't the solution MORE games in the Premiership? Don't think the Champions Cup can save the finances of English Rugby.

[@Zveebo]

@@RobertFall They already play each other twice each and have a weird cup nobody really cares about. With 10 teams there just isn’t enough people for games. The Champions Cup is particularly important for English clubs because of that.

[@bolton121]

For those who have only ever seen Dombrant play for England then how he played last night would be a good advert for his capabilities, albeit against a weakened team. Murley also needs to be in with a shout on the summer tour if we rotate the squad a bit

[@CatPlatton]

Would love to see Dupont and Pollard play together 😍

[@brunolopez8614]

yeah, good idea, me too !

[@kropotkine9640]

As Toulouse have the best 9, Pollard will have to be on the bench

[@brunolopez8614]

@kropotkine9640 ? Pollard is a 10 ...

[@kropotkine9640]

@@brunolopez8614 My bad, but as Ntamack is better he'll stays on the bench

[@Impl0ze93]

Great insights, thanks Tim. Your point on the Champions cup is genuine, and it reminds me of the small debate around France not sending their A team to NZ tour this summer, exact same issue...

[@LittleBigMediaCo]

The biggest problem is that the majority of the teams playing in this treat it as a sideshow to their regular league season, for a number of reasons ... a) the travel schedule makes no logical sense in most cases, and b) they all know from the outset that the balance is weighted in favour of the teams with the biggest squads and budgets so it's not worth the effort going 'all in". The Champions Cup would be better off taking the two finalists from each league, plus the Challenge Cup winner, and playing a league format for a few weeks, with the top two in that league playing a final. The 7 top teams against each other over 6 weeks, no "easy" games or matches they can afford to lose, so no more full strength vs 2nd string teams. The Challenge Cup could be the same format for the losing semi-finalists in each league, with the eventual winner earning their place alongside the leagues finalists the following year. If that winner also happens to be one of the finalists the following year, then the Champions Cup is played between 6 teams instead of 7. At the moment, there's too many teams, too big a disparity in squad sizes (& budget), and not enough "must win" matches.

[@Topaz2008]

❤POLLARD ❤ thank you for putting my fellow South Africans to shame, all the South African Pollard haters had terrible heart burn this long weekend....

[@Thudsrayz]

Sunday morning in nz watching Leinster Clermont then La Rochelle Bristol, fantastic games, although as you mentioned, class won out in the last quarter of each. Also caught a couple of other games and was a little underwhelmed. I generally support the SA teams so a little disappointed. I've got no skin in the game for how the competition is run, but it does seem there's a few too many teams not at the level of a "champions cup". Considering how long the season is, would fans be happy to reduce the comp to 5 or 6 meaningful games? I'll watch it anyway, so no changes required for me

[@siyabongamchunu4342]

My immediate impression is that the competition is far too bloated. Only the top four teams from each league should qualify, and then you can structure it like the pool phase of the Super 12. The top two teams immediately qualify for the SF, while 3-6 duke it out for the remaining two SF spots. If you want more games, you can stretch it out by having a home and away fixture for the playoffs. The Challenge Cup should be teams 4-8 in each league, with two invitations, so it would be like a Super 14 era. Again, you can then decide on six teams for the playoffs or just four.

[@davidwalker2402]

Is it just me or has rugby changed many rules to quicken the game up only to see the whole thing slowed right down , appalling use of the TMO for almost every try every foul , referees constantly stopping play and decisions taking forever.

[@ArunsTravels]

The whole competition needs to change. It’s supposed to be The Champions Cup. Too many mismatched teams and teams sending second strings. I’d rather watch a competition where only the top 4 from each league qualify. Two pools of 6. Current setup is so ridiculous where teams can progress by winning just a couple of matches. It’s a far cry from the glory days of the Heineken Cup.

[@benhodd6643]

Huge bias here, but I found myself watching a Leicester Wasps pool stage game from 2004/5. The atmosphere was absolute magic because of the jeopardy and rivalry. With Biarritz in the same pool, every game and every point mattered to players and fans. The competition now just feels so diluted and inconsequential

[@JakeEastham]

I’ve been a devoted rugby fan all my life and I don’t know anything about the latest rounds of European rugby as I refuse to pay for another subscription to another channel just to able to watch the games. I happily pay for the excellent TNT coverage of the premiership and I understand the need for investment into the game but if it’s just all about the money rather than the fans the only people who will win are Bill Sweany and TV fat cats. Sad

[@rick32]

The SA sides just don't have the squad depth to compete in multiple competitions with the amount of travel required. I think it's great for giving our guys experience, but I think we'll be 'also rans' for a long time

[@joeodonoghue3885]

24 hours late but nice to have a bit of respect for the Saint's performance at last 👌

[@davidwalker2402]

The competition was ruined when SA teams came into it, might not be their fault but they are not really helping things. Competition organizers need to do something very fast to get this competition back to where it once was. Sam prendergast was man of the match but hardly gets a mention mmmm

[@JohnMurphy-k8h]

It's too much rugby and travel involved for SA sides. We concentrate on the URC, as we have more chance of winning it than the Champions cup competition. The Champions cup comp is, I believe the best club comp, and SA sides should not be diluting it by sending second strength teams overseas. It's not their fault, just need to rest players who play 12 months of the year.

[@joshhunter1129]

I think part of the problem is there’s too many teams. Like look at the top eruopean competition in football. At most you get 4 teams from one country and that’s from leagues of 20. We’re allowing 8 of 10 English clubs. 8 of 14 top 14 and 8 of 16 URC. I get the necessity for that as there’s so few leagues. But it means there’s so many teams who really don’t deserve to be there qualifying

[@Hometruths29]

There are a lot of people here in Ireland blaming Paul O' Connell for Ireland's lineout problems. It is now obvious that the problem lies with the players, in particular Ryan, McCarthy and Kelleher.

[@tjobrien8436]

Leinster lineout is beyond shambolic. And the same can be said for Ireland. Not a hope in hell either leinster or Ireland win anything this year if the lineout isnt sorted out ASAP. Also can we please get stuart lancaster back to leinster. Attack has gone so stale since his departure

[@edwardwall297]

Bit like Ireland minus Mike Catt...

[@tjobrien8436]

@edwardwall297 agreed. Ireland look clueless in attack. Amd goodman wasn't rated whatsoever at leinster. So why did Ireland bring him in. Right now I'd take I Gara coming in and taking over. Farrell and Ireland have the feeling of Pep and man city. Gone totally stale

[@JanGreyAndSoOn]

SA teams in this comp ( in other words SA teams in the recent past) makes obe wonder about the "Tony Brown evolution". The SA teams goes endlessly from side to side and does not score while opposition bests them with hard direct running when the opportunity presents itself ... a bit like the "unevolved" SA teams used to do.

[@Dan1973100]

Ja Nê, South African nightmare

[@29xthefun]

If this was the ultimate in club rugby it would not be on premier sports. I used to love the H cup weekends a real highlight but over last few years it has really lost its appeal to me.

[@cheesecake6696]

If were going whole sale changes to comp I say straight knock outs all the way. Small change- only 3 points and/or no bonus points for home team

[@seanofarrell8896]

Personally, i put it down to the format even before SA sides joined there where blowouts so SA teams are not the problem. There is a bigger picture. Structure i would agree on

[@OskarBosco-o2w]

What position did Tim play? He looks in great shape in that T

[@AC-hu3xk]

Hmm SA sides were blown away

[@mahasamatman12]

Every round makes it more obvious that SA teams have nothing to do in this competition, if only because the logistics don't work.

[@MichelleK-v7r]

I don't understand how a match with Ox Nche v. Feyi Waboso has almost no one in the stands?? So disappointing.

[@marshallbravestar031]

Jake white must stay away from the buffet while on tour.....

[@oscarpaumelle5969]

I think it should be less teams that qualify for the competition. 2/3 of Top14 which is stupid (I'm French) Less teams means more interesting games with teams that actually want to and have a chance to win it. Less games also means maybe Top14 can finish earlier and France can finally send their full team in NZ. The Champions cup should be only the best teams from each leagues !

[@RobertFall]

Couldn’t agree more. Fewer teams, straight into knockouts

[@peterp9918]

English and French clubs put the first nail in this competition's coffin and the South African sides are going to finish it off - nothing against them it's just the scheduling makes it impossible for them.

[@Scud_and_thesTig]

It all comes down to getting an agreed rugby calendar across international and national competitions, and then fitting each competition into that structure in a logical way so that each can lead into the other

[@JD-qn5dv]

10:08 "even above Manie Libbok" yeah cause thats such a big competition 😂

[@olglez9230]

The competition doesn't feel like the best of the best. How can it when 8 of the 10 teams from the Gallagher's Premiership compete in it? Also, it's boring seeing teams put out rheir reserves. If the clubs aren't invested in it then why should we be ?

[@fomora12]

kelleher and herring are not reliable throwers, and have never been. they are great players but they lack in this dept

[@Bambi157]

Just my 2 cents. SA teams are provincial teams. Not club teams with players from all over the world. The SA teams have a much lower budget then other club teams and are using home grown players. Considering most of SA's top players are spread all over the world. Not surprised with the results. I reckon it will take a couple of years for SA teams to adapt

[@markdaws1532]

As long as as the semi finals are hosted in Europe, as well as the final, why would SA teams put it ahead of the other competitions?? Maybe the SA teams should not be in this comp seeing its a European comp

[@OriginalVenomZA]

I just think the SA teams are trying to play too much rugby. Traditionally this time of the year would have been spent on the couch with a brandy, not on the field in yet another competition. But that's just my opinion.

[@daggaboom]

We (SA) are letting the comp down badly by sending in weak teams. It's a bit embarrassing at the moment.

[@chrisbossman1978]

The bulls played their strongest team at home and still lost badly

[@daggaboom]

@@chrisbossman1978 That is the exception and I should've stated so.

[@KODE0101]

Like you said, win home games and you're through, why go all out so early. But South African sides haven't really bought unto the hype🤷 might as well pull us out the comp, it's been kinda mid, zero hype

[@CWalsh-s2w]

The competition is completely anonymous in UK unless you look for it. No pubs in rugby area that show rugby over football every weekend are showing it. KZbin highlights seem to be blocked in UK unless I use a VPN. Very little proper general coverage on UK TV (although BBC news mentioned it last night). TalkSport haven't mentioned it all weekend. I'm waiting for this to be over and Premiership and URC to resume.

[@Zveebo]

What are you on about? Every rugby-adjacent pub in Edinburgh is showing the games, so if they are not in England, that seems like a skill issue. As are most clubs. Premier Sports is trivially easy and cheap to subscribe to watch at home. And highlights are freely available on KZbin on both the Premier Sports and Champion Cup channels.

[@juanpierrebosch]

South African sides are spreading it to thin, including this communication. I think SA needs to rethink their commitment for the first time I'm going to say it " tomuch for the SA players playing 12m a year.

[@matthewvanrensburg3824]

How are the Boks playing more rugby than their Euro counterparts?

[@juanpierrebosch]

@matthewvanrensburg3824 when Rugby Championship are played NZ, Aus, Argentina, ZA . You boys are having a summer break.

[@matthewvanrensburg3824]

@juanpierrebosch Who's "you boys" you referencing🤣

[@juanpierrebosch]

@matthewvanrensburg3824 you girls?

[@matthewvanrensburg3824]

@@juanpierrebosch Where you do think I live, where Im from? 🤣🤣🤣

[@fomora12]

even abpve libbock, jesus that doesnt say much, libbock has cost his teams countless times with his poor kicking. COUNTLESS

[@avrilgardiner9111]

😂

[@brunolopez8614]

I'd prefer SA teams stays in the Currie Cup and plays seriously in the champions cup along Aussies et NZ teams every year. This means we have to shorten our beloved top14 who is too long therefore too dangerous for the players...

[@Natedawg38]

Lineouts...ugh...when will it end.

[@tilmanvondelft]

Make the European Rugby Champions Cup a true cup competition: knock-out games only. Start with either 32 or 16 teams then straight away 5 or 4 knockout rounds. Much greater jeopardy and excitement. And full stadiums.

[@elsmid]

Funny how when Lancaster was at Leinster, the English media were shoehorning his name into their every success. Now that Racing are not playing so well he is being thrown under the bus.

[@andrewharris1837]

This comp devalued by URC and both too many games.Make them both like FACup.Knock out games😊

[@geriankock9275]

Sharks will pump Toulouse in Durban and then we will see where the conversations is at

[@Blackbeard0456]

Format of the comp is too diluted and complicated to build support. Needs to reduce to focus on Knockout stages and EPCR element is pointless, even the broadcasters wont televise some EPCR games in Europe as with the Lions game yesterday only broadcast in SA and USA. So we have a European comp where some games arent even broadcast in Europe? If organisers and broadcasters dont care why should fans!

[@iansinclair7581]

I prefer the old format. It is becoming obvious that playing away you put out a weakened side. Then concentrate on the home matches. Anyone who follows the URC knows how hard it is to win in SA so anyone saying the SA teams are not up to the competition may be wrong. Let’s see who are left standing at the end of the group stage.

[@Zveebo]

It’s not that hard. Glasgow managed just fine. And Saints this week. Just send a full strength team and rely on the fact that Boks are delicate little beast and so can only play about 10 games a year max 🥹

[@paulhealy123]

Sad to say but URC is a better competition now. Champions cup is only good from the quarters on!

[@vp0029]

Alex Mitchell should be lions 9 with Gibson park on the bench

[@jasonwall5012]

Yea ok, go back to sleep 😂

[@ColmOCallaghan-i6b]

It's been poor so far bar maybe 1 match per week. Don't like the format. Just say the refs, although a bit better this week, have been poor. I think the knockouts will be OK but the URC & top 14 seem more important

[@davidhauptfleisch909]

Sa teams have been woeful

[@juanpierrebosch]

Ostrich eggs well smashed.. a saffa nightmare

[@simonmorgan225]

The timings are all wrong, teams have just got there players back from autumn internatals. The traveling issues with SA are detrimental, playing in europe then a week later in SA is just crazy. Yes they've entered a european competition, but if your not willing to accommodate the travel issues then expect b teams to be sent. There are too many missmatches making the comp a bit of a joke. Northampton away win highlights how good this competition could be.

[@TheJunglecrab]

SA sides looking ordinary in this competition. Pity

[@DoddyIshamel]

Too many teams, not enough jeopardy in the pool stage. Should be a 16 team comp, with the losing 8 in the first round playing off for the challenge cup. If you are not in the 16 you shouldn't have Europe.

[@rugbymandan]

Less teams would be a good solution and it could increase prestige of qualifying. SA teams getting exposed for lack of depth

[@thyspotgieter9759]

Tim the South african team can compete in this competition but will never win it. The main reason is we playing world 15 teams full of international players thats why most of our players playing overseas because our currency is worth nothing. How will South african teams draw international players with our rand we cant compete against the Pound; Euroand dollar.

[@firstnamelastname6853]

This was my first experience of this competition. Its not filling me with excitement. Feels like a tournament too many. Just unnecessary now. Not feelin it at the moment

[@patrickkeane2067]

3 teams going for it. Not good.

[@MrJonnyd81]

SA teams don't deserve to be in the great competition, empty home stadiums with no atmosphere, sending weaker teams to away games and tbh most other supporters are sick of all the excuses

[@Nasklipa]

Yep 🫵🏽👏🏾

[@subbie5498]

just a bad year but euro teams keep buying our players

[@zwet4269]

We're here to stay buddy😂 we're bringing in viewership and the competition sponsor is South African. You can moan all you want. You should see this as a positive

[@andresonofgolotaward3386]

Tbf quite a few French teams also send weakened teams when they play away games in the European comps

[@RobertFall]

There are often more people at the SA stadiums than Europe. They’re just huge stadiums.

[@DM-rp9ik]

It's an easy fix they just need to make the games matter again, playing 4 games to get to 16 teams is pointless

[@jean-pascalesparceil9008]

Flights between SA and Europe, constrained as they are by using the airlines sponsor, are a problem. Is really Investec a SA company? How it does not invest more in promoting this competition in SA?

[@thyspotgieter9759]

probably the worse ref i ever saw after Bryce Lawrence who handle the Bulls game Saturday how do u win all stats on the day but loose by 9 points

[@subbie5498]

its not as if the sa teams are so bad last year bulls and stormers won almost all their games but this year not even beating welsh teams

[@basildavidson4597]

👍🏻