Translation from EPCR notice on 2021 European Rugby finals.


"We are delighted to welcoming matches back this weekend in both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
For a long time now, the goal of everyone involved in the tournaments was glory in Marseille in May 2021, but as in 2020, we must accept that it is not currently possible to accommodate a large number of fans for a weekend of outstanding rugby action and so, the decision has been taken to postpone Finals Weekend at Stade Vélodrome until 2022."

away to Leicester Tigers in the rd 16 match
And if we win that we will be at home to either ospreys or Newcastle Falcons

Challenge Cup (Ulster and Connacht) – Leicester, Ospreys and London Irish will be at home in Round of 16.

Can’t play Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Glasgow, Zebre and Benetton in Round of 16. Open draw QF onwards. Tuesday March 9th from noon. Live stream on www.epcrugby.com/

Can play:
Harlequins (3rd in Prem, 6 wins and 1 draw from 11 games)
Northampton (5th in Prem, 6 wins from 11)
Newcastle (6th in Prem, 6 wins from 11)
London Irish (7th in Prem, 4 wins and 2 draws from 11)
Leicester (9th in Prem, 5 wins from 11)
Bath (10th in Prem, 5 wins from 11)
Montpellier (11th in Top 14, 5 wins from 18)
Agen (Last in Top 14, 0 wins from 17)

Info on the European Champions and Challenge Cup draws next week.

www.epcrugby.com/2021/03/05/heineken-cha...nockout-stage-draws/

I think we were the only team who underestimated how competitive they can be. I backed them to win.

After beating Worcester today in Moscow, Connacht remain the only team to beat Enisei STM away in the Challenge Cup

In all the excitement I nearly forgot the European Rugby weekend starts now as Paris visit the Stoop.
Looks like strong enough teams out, which is almost surprising given the winner has now been downgraded to a Champions Cup playoff spot again.
Hopefully a decent game to whet the appetite.

EDIT: No, this is not shaping up to be a classic.

N17 wrote: What's the story with the very limited live airing of challenge cup compared to last season, if not mistaken, sky practically showed all/most games.....

This along with the winner not getting a direct place in champions cup....and the champions cup group 2nd placers not coming down to the challenge for the quarter finals alas last year which added glamour to it in a way....

Will the challenge cup be there in 2years? Or at the very least financially viable?

I think that's a very good point. I really believe they have shot themselves in the foot by not offering a place in the European Cup for the winners or at the very least a place in a play off for the winners. It would be a big incentive for most sides in the competition who would be struggling to get their via the league.

Even with the games that are being televised, Gloucester - Brive and London Welsh - Bordeaux-Begles were one sided games.

Is it going to move to a European Super League style competition, where there is the big 20 and two fingers to the rest of us? Also this new governing body promised a shield competition for the other countries when they came in which hasn't come to fruition as far as I know.

Its disappointing as I always believed the Challenge Cup is a good springboard competition. The teams dropping down can be a good or bad thing, I believe when it gets to the knock out stages the competition hots up but really most of the French teams don't give a toss or best case scenario they do at home but not away and I don't blame them. They have a 26 game league season and it's a tough road to avoid relegation which for every reason has to be their primary concern, why put any effort into winning this competition which offers you very little in return?

What's the story with the very limited live airing of challenge cup compared to last season, if not mistaken, sky practically showed all/most games.....

This along with the winner not getting a direct place in champions cup....and the champions cup group 2nd placers not coming down to the challenge for the quarter finals alas last year which added glamour to it in a way....

Will the challenge cup be there in 2years? Or at the very least financially viable?

connachtexile wrote: Scarlets beat the Tigers! Don't know if it will make a difference but at least it gives Ulster a slim chance of getting out of the group now. Still all to do.

I find it almost impossible to see a way back for Ulster now. After the Glasgow game a couple of weeks back there was high hopes for them in Europe but they didn't deliver at Leicester. Leicester are still Leicester but if Ulster were hoping to progress it was one they needed to win really.

Scarlets winning here keeps them involved in the competition and makes the double header difficult. Even if Ulster were to get 9 points from those 2 games its impossible to see them winning in Toulon. With no dropdown to the challenge cup, winning the league is the only thing Ulster can hope to achieve this season.

Scarlets beat the Tigers! Don't know if it will make a difference but at least it gives Ulster a slim chance of getting out of the group now. Still all to do.

Delighted for Zebre

Nice win for Zebre away to Brive also.

F-T No BP for either side, very good result

25-6 7 minutes left. La Rochelle have 3 tries on the board now.

18-6 to La Rochelle with 20 left.