Heineken Cup Quarter Finals

[Leonormous Boozer]

The 2nd to last round of Heineken cup pool games have been played and although this is quite an unnecessary thread it will be fun and it could spark a few interesting arguments.
Here is my prediction of what the group qualifiers will look like.

1. Harlequins 29pts
2. Clermont 28pts
3. Toulon 27pts
4. Saracens 23 pts
5. Ulster 23 pts
6. Leicester 20 pts
7. Leinster 20 pts
8. Munster 19 pts
3 English 3 Irish 2 French

Alternatively

3. Toulon 24 pts
6. Toulouse 22 pts
7. Montpellier 22 pts
8. Leinster 20 pts

4 French 2 English 2 Irish

or some variation of those qualifiers.

This could lead to some great QF's
1. Harlequins vs Munster/Leinster
2. Clermont vs Leinster/Munster/Montpellier
3. Toulon vs Leicester/Toulouse
4. Saracens vs Ulster or vice versa

 

[big ginger 8]

Now wait for teh mite to come on talking about cocky Leinster fans and how Exeter will beat us.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Now wait for teh mite to come on talking about cocky Leinster fans and how Exeter will beat us.

Meh, results went almost perfect for Leinster this weekend and we're too good a team to give it up.

 

[dullonien]

IMO:

Pool 1: Saracens 23, Munster 19, Racing 13, Edinburgh 0
Pool 2: Leicester 20, Tolouse 19, Ospreys 16, Treviso 1
Pool 3: Harlequins 25, Biarritz 18, Connacht 13, Zebre 0
Pool 4: Ulster 23, Northampton 15, Castres 14, Glasgow 6
Pool 5: Clermont 28, Leinster 19, Exeter 9, Scarlets 2
Pool 6: Toulon 27, Montpellier 19, Blues 6, Sale 5

That would give us:

Clermont
Toulon
Harlequins
Saracens/Ulster
Ulster/Saracens
Leicester
Toulouse
Munster

Leinster's points difference is too far off the pace of the others (I think that's what would decide the 4 teams on 19).

Of course if Leinster score 4 try's, then things are different. But Exeter is a difficult place to go and score lots of try's.

Edit. Sorry, keep of misreading the points differences.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Now wait for teh mite to come on talking about cocky Leinster fans and how Exeter will beat us.

*[strike]Munster/Ulster/[/strike]Leinster

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

IMO:

Pool 1: Saracens 23, Munster 19, Racing 13, Edinburgh 0
Pool 2: Leicester 20, Tolouse 19, Ospreys 16, Treviso 1
Pool 3: Harlequins 25, Biarritz 18, Connacht 13, Zebre 0
Pool 4: Ulster 23, Northampton 15, Castres 14, Glasgow 6
Pool 5: Clermont 28, Leinster 19, Exeter 9, Scarlets 2
Pool 6: Toulon 27, Montpellier 19, Blues 6, Sale 5

That would give us:

Clermont
Toulon
Harlequins
Saracens/Ulster
Ulster/Saracens
Leicester
Toulouse
Munster

Leinster's points difference is too far off the pace of the others (I think that's what would decide the 4 teams on 19).

Of course if Leinster score 4 try's, then things are different. But Exeter is a difficult place to go and score lots of try's.

Edit. Sorry, keep of misreading the points differences.

Is it not try count for teams on level points? that would leave 7. Montpellier 8. Toulouse.

 

[psychic duck]

If Leinster want to defend their trophy they need for Munster and Montpellier both to struggle next weekend. Otherwise they will be forced to have to search for bonus point tries in Exeter.

 

[dullonien]

Is it not try count for teams on level points? that would leave 7. Montpellier 8. Toulouse.

Ah, I don't know. Maybe it is. Either way it leaves Leinster off the pace and requiring a bonus point v Exeter. Certainly achievable, and as we've found out with quality teams in the past (Munster on several occasions), you don't write them off.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

So, now it looks more clear. Excluding a bonus point win from Toulouse, it looks as if:

Home teams:
Harlequins
Clermont
Toulon
Ulster/Saracens

Away teams:
Saracens/Ulster
Leicester/Toulouse
Montpellier
Leinster/Munster

 

[Nielsch]

Stadiums:

Harlequins have opted to play their quarter final at the Stoop instead of moving it across the road to Twickers. Meanwhile Saracens did decide to move their quarter final to Rugby HQ as their newly built Allianz Park doesn't have enough seats to comply with ERC regulations. Clermont will play their quarter at their home fortress Marcel Michelin while the ERC has denied RC Toulon the right to make use of their own stadium Stade du Mayol cause it comes up 300 seats short of the 15.000 seats regulation, so they will have to find another place to play.

 

[Teh Mite]

For being only 300 seats short on a special dispensation? That's a pathetic attitude of the ERC. Particularly as Tigs won't travel is anywhere near exceptional numbers.

 

[Nielsch]

RC Toulon and the mayor of Toulon have now come up with a plan to increase the capacity from 14.700 to 15.020 seats. That building plan has to be approved by the Toulon City Safety Commission first. The commission will go over the plans during the first week of February. Once they will approve with the plan, the ERC will look at the plans and decide whether Toulon will be able to play at home.

 

[Teh Mite]

Late in the day I see but it looks as though Toulon will be playing this one at home.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Yes all approved Toulon have now a capacity of 15,020 and therefore have been allowed to play their 1/4 final at Stade Mayol by ERC.