Europe 20/21 announced

[Neils]

I suspect the answer is somewhere in between the Pro14, Top 14, PRL, ERC and the three TV Companies. A complete mash up!

[Hymenoptera]

Are we expecting too much? This is a Covid related change and yet another attempt at making the best of a bad situation. I assume this way travel is reduced slightly, as is in interaction.
Not great but i'm sure EPRC are doing their best.

Why not simplify it instead then? And it basically means we will have to have cross border travel in France, which I cannot see happening any time soon.

How do you avoid cross border travel in a Champions Cup. Smaller pools equals less travel and exposure.
Some people are bothered about it some aren't, can't please everyone, such is life.

[Shugs]

For me, if I've understood correctly, the main issue is that it's in effect a league contested by teams who all play different people. Not really a level playing field. But I suppose after our start I'm just glad to be in it whatever it is.

[MarleyWasp]

Having wasted my lunch break trying to figure out the two tiered, 14 team Challenge Cup fixtures, where one Premiership side and one Pro14 side will play two French clubs and the rest, including all French clubs will play two sides from both differing leagues to their own (I've concluded that this isn't possible and I will applaud EPCR if they actually manage it) the Champions Cup format is relatively simple...

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Having wasted my lunch break trying to figure out the two tiered, 14 team Challenge Cup fixtures, where one Premiership side and one Pro14 side will play two French clubs and the rest, including all French clubs will play two sides from both differing leagues to their own (I've concluded that this isn't possible and I will applaud EPCR if they actually manage it) the Champions Cup format is relatively simple...

I’m reminded of this famous quote:

“ The Schleswig-Holstein question is so complicated, only three men in Europe have ever understood it. One was Prince Albert, who is dead. The second was a German professor who became mad. I am the third and I have forgotten all about it.”

When it was explained to me I understood it, for about 30 seconds. 

[backdoc]

Having wasted my lunch break trying to figure out the two tiered, 14 team Challenge Cup fixtures, where one Premiership side and one Pro14 side will play two French clubs and the rest, including all French clubs will play two sides from both differing leagues to their own (I've concluded that this isn't possible and I will applaud EPCR if they actually manage it) the Champions Cup format is relatively simple...

I’m reminded of this famous quote:

“ The Schleswig-Holstein question is so complicated, only three men in Europe have ever understood it. One was Prince Albert, who is dead. The second was a German professor who became mad. I am the third and I have forgotten all about it.”

When it was explained to me I understood it, for about 30 seconds.

It must have been Bismarck

[backdoc]

No, I am wrong: it was Palmerston.

[MarleyWasp]

The draw is today, although EPCR haven't said when. It will be streamed on the Champions Cup social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube).

We're in Tier 1 and will be drawn to play either Dragons or Glasgow and Montpellier or Toulouse.

[RogerE]

If they intend to stream it live they obviously want an audience. However if they don't announce a time will they expect everyone to be sitting, with baited breath, watching all day?

[Neils]

Draw is at 3pm according to Irish press over there.

[Neils]

Also confirmed by BB as 3pm

[backdoc]

We have Dragons and Montpellier

[MarleyWasp]

Always fancied a weekend in Montpellier. So naturally it'll be when we're unable to go...

[Heathen]

Montpellier site saying they have Wasps and Leinster! That is impossible as we and Leinster are Tier 1.

[backdoc]

POOL A (with opponents in brackets)
Bordeaux-Bègles (Dragons, Northampton Saints)
Leinster Rugby (Montpellier, Northampton Saints)
Wasps (Dragons, Montpellier)
Bath Rugby (La Rochelle, Scarlets)
Edinburgh Rugby (La Rochelle, Sale Sharks)
RC Toulon (Sale Sharks, Scarlets)
La Rochelle (Bath Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby)
Sale Sharks (Edinburgh Rugby, RC Toulon)
Scarlets (Bath Rugby, RC Toulon)
Dragons (Bordeaux-Bègles, Wasps)
Montpellier (Leinster Rugby, Wasps)
Northampton Saints (Bordeaux-Bègles, Leinster Rugby)

POOL B (with opponents in brackets)
Exeter Chiefs (Glasgow Warriors, Toulouse)
Lyon (Glasgow Warriors, Gloucester Rugby)
Ulster Rugby (Gloucester Rugby, Toulouse)
Bristol Bears (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Connacht Rugby)
Munster Rugby (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Harlequins)
Racing 92 (Connacht Rugby, Harlequins)
ASM Clermont Auvergne (Bristol Bears, Munster Rugby)
Connacht Rugby (Bristol Bears, Racing 92)
Harlequins (Munster Rugby, Racing 92)
Glasgow Warriors (Exeter Chiefs, Lyon)
Gloucester Rugby (Lyon, Ulster)
Toulouse (Exeter Chiefs, Ulster Rugby)