rugby european cup ,21-12-15

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP RUGBY

FRIDAY

NORTHAMPTON 9-9 RACING

NOT MUCH KNOWN IN BAD GAME

 

Myler kicked Saints into an early lead with a long-range penalty, but New Zealand great Carter, in his second game for Racing, soon levelled the score from the tee before adding a second against the run of play.

The fly-halves exchanged two more penalties each in the second half, and it was Saints who looked like the bigger threat in attack.

Their best chance for a try came on 66 minutes, when the usually reliable Carter saw his clearance charged down by George Pisi and Saints tried to scramble over from a five-metre scrum, but they were eventually penalised and the visitors cleared the danger.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35103074

Tjere is little said about a result like this as it is so poor a match and a result.

SATURDAY

LEINSTER 16-20 TOULON

ETRILLARD PUTS LEINSTER OUT IN DISAPIONTMENT

Three-time European champions Leinster held a 16-5 lead thanks to a penalty try and four Johnny Sexton kicks.

But Toulon earned their own penalty try, adding to Juan Smith's score, to cut the deficit to four points

Anthony Etrillard went over and Tom Taylor kicked a penalty to win it for the French side.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35103282

Leinster have been disappointing this season in Europe and it does not look like they are the sqame team as they were last season.

BATH 10-36 WASPS

LEIUA BUTS WASPS IN COMPLETE CONTROL

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Semesa Rokoduguni put the hosts ahead early on at the Rec but Wasps hit back through Elliot Daly and Jimmy Gopperth - the fly-half adding five kicks from the tee.

George Ford and Gopperth exchanged penalties in the second half, and Daly added a drop goal for the visitors.

Alapati Leiua's converted try made sure of Wasps' convincing win.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35103811

This result has certainly helped Wasps as in their want to reach the quarter final of the European cup this season and this season they do look like the team to watch out for.

 

STADE 40-14 TREVISO

RAISUQE WIN PUTS STADE IN CONTROL

Stade Francais kept their Champions Cup play-off hopes alive with a 40-14 win over Treviso on Saturday night.

Morne Steyn kicked five conversions as Josaia Raisuqe crossed twice for the Parisians. Geoffrey Doumayrou scored at the very end of the game to go with tries from Hugo Bonneval and replacement prop Zurabi Zhvania

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/stade-francais-vs-treviso/73343

Stade have shown that they are one of the best teams in Europe with this win but form is something that will matter going forward and you canb not be sure how important that bonus point is

 

SCARLETS 6-9 GLASGOW

BOOT MAKES DIFFERENCE TO GLASGOW

The fly-half landed landed three penalties at a wet and windy Parc y Scarlets, with Aled Thomas landing two for the home side after the break.

Glasgow were down to 13 men for seven minutes in the second half but managed to limit the damage

Thomas missed a long-range penalty to snatch a draw for the Welsh region.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35116747

This is the type of match that Glasgow had to win to stand any chance in this year’s competition and they did but it was a very disappointing game

BORDEUX 33-27 OSPREYS

BONUS POINT WIN GETS BORDEUX BACK IN GROUP CONTENTION

Tries from Julien Rey, Berend Botha and Sofiane Guitoune gave Bordeaux a commanding 25-10 half-time lead.

But Eli Walker, Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar added to Justin Tipuric's first-half score to make it 30-27

Yann Lesgourgues's try had given Bordeaux a bonus point and Baptiste Serin's penalty made sure of victory.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35088814

This is a great year for the Ospreys and reaching the quarter final for them would be considered a success no matter how it is done

SARACENS 55-13 OYONNAX

ASHDON HAT TRICK SHOULD PUT SARACENS IN QUARTERS

 

Winger Ashton, who was not picked for England's World Cup campaign this year, scored twice in the first half before completing his treble late on.

Samu Vunisa crossed twice, while Alex Goode, Mike Ellery and Jamie George also went over for the group leaders

Oyonnax could only earn a second-half consolation through Fetu'u Vainikolo

SUNDAY

LEICESTER 17-6 MUNSTER

SLATER AND GONEVA TRIES KEEP LEISTER 100 PER CENT RECORD

Tries from Ed Slater and Niki Goneva and three kicks from Freddie Burns earned the Tigers their fourth win of the campaign.

Two-time champions Munster could respond with only two first-half penalties from fly-half Ian Keatley.

Leicester have an eight point lead at the top of the group, but Munster's hopes of progression look all but over.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35103919

Munster seem to be in a bit of trouble this season and this win should secure a quarter final spot for them as Leister seem to have a bit form behind them

CLERMOUNT 42-10 EXETER

CLERMOUNT BONUS POINT LEAVES GROUP OPEN

David Strettle, Alexandre Lapandry, Fritz Lee, Sebastien Vahaamahina and Wales' Jonathan Davies all went over.

Exeter grabbed a late try through Tom Johnson, when Clermont were reduced to 13 men, but it was a mere consolation.

TOLOUSE 23-25 ULSTER

MARSHALL TRY GIVES ULSTER VITAL WIN

A Ruan Pienaar try helped the visitors to a 10-3 half-time lead and Andrew Trimble and Luke Marshall added second-half touchdowns for the Irish province.

Gael Fickou crossed for Toulouse, with Louis Picamoles adding a late try

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35103463

This is a big win for Ulster and Irish rugby as with 2 matches against Blow French side Oyonnax Ulster still hold hopes of reaching the quarters

 

 

18-12-15 champions cup predictions

FRIDAY

NORTHAMPTON V RACING

 

 

 

 

 

 

This could be an interesting match if Northampton show the quality that we know that they have but this week I think this will go to Racing as they have too much quality

SATURDAY

SARACENS V OYONNAX

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saracens have to win this match and get the bonus point if they do it will give them a cushion in the group and after another win they should reach the quarters however if they fail to get the bonus point there might be problems

BORDEUX V OSPREYS

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Ospreys are going to reach the quarter final this season after being joint top of their group this is one of the matches they must win and give a good account of themselves

SCARLETS V GLASGOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

This should be an away banker for Glasgow if they are to show any serious threat in the Champions Cup.

STADE FRANCAIS V TEVISO

 

 

Stade are one of the quality French sides in Europe and this should be 5 points won for them anything else is failure

BATH V WASPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After what happened last week with Bath beating wasps I am not sure what way this game will go I think that it will be a match that will go one way and then the other but I think Wasps have something in them which we saw against Toulon and I think Wasps will in

LEINSTER V TOULON

 

 

 

 

 

Leinster is one of the best teams in Europe and they are failing spectacularly. Will they be able to wake up for this match as this was not the Leinster we saw last year or a few years ago are they on a downward spiral? Then what about Toulon the best team in Europe this year Wasps have shown themselves to be better this is the match of the disappointed powerhouses. I think if Leinster play well they will win

SUNDAY

TOLOUSE V ULSTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cannot for the life of me see any way that Ulster will win this match as I do not think they are good enough to pull off a win after a shock. If they do it will give them confidence going into their next couple of matches in the European Cup against Oyonnax and I think for Toulouse they should have wakened up from this result

CLERMOUNT V EXETER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Exeter are going to show themselves in Europe wi8nn ing in France is a must and here is the chance to do and I think that they can and Will but it will be a battle

LEISTER V MUNSTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

Munster have been disappointing for the last couple of seasons and you could see it last week when they lost to Leister I think that Leister will win a close one here too but Munster have to improve in Europe this season.  

 

rugby european cup 18-212-15

MONPELLIER 23-22 BLUES

WILLEMSE TRY GIVES MONPILIER LAST MINUTE WIN

 

Paul Willemse's last-gasp converted try for Montpellier cruelly denied Cardiff Blues victory in the European Challenge Cup.

Alex Cuthbert crossed for the opening try and although Julien Malzieu replied, Blues led at the break.

Blues defended heroically in the second half and were leading with a minute remaining.

But Willemse scored from the very last move of the game and Demetri Catrakilis converted to secure victory.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35088542

Normally the French sides don’t pay much attention to the Challenge cup but I am glad to see that is changing and I hope that a French team goes well in the competition this year.

GLOSTER 27-13 WOSTER

KVESIC TRY GIVES GLOSTER BIG WIN

 

After Laidlaw and Ryan Lamb exchanged early penalties, Ben Howard ran in a fine try to give Warriors the lead.

Scotland scrum-half Laidlaw scored a try either side of two penalties to give Gloucester a 16-10 half-time lead.

Former Worcester back row Matt Kvesic was bundled over after another couple of Laidlaw penalties to seal the win.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35114077

To me this is showing that Gloster have the chance to be Challenge cup champions because they are doing very well against the better teams in Europe this year they have the experience are they potential champions

HERE ARE FRIDAYS TEAMS FOR THE RUGBY

 

Northampton Saints: Foden; Tuala, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Dickson (c); A Waller, Haywood, Brookes, Lawes, Matfield, Gibson, Harrison, Dickinson.

Replacements: Williams, E Waller, Hill, Day, Paterson, Fotuali'i, Hanrahan, Elliott

 

Racing Metro: Dulin; Rokocoko, Laulala, Chavancy, Imhoff; Carter, Phillips; Ben Arous, Szarzewski (c), Tameifuna, Van Der Merwe, Lauret, Nyanga, Masoe.

 

Replacements: Chat, Brugnaut, Gomes Sa, Carizza, Claassen, Machenaud, Goosen, Andreu.

 

european change cup week 4 teams

This is week 4 of the Challenge cup here are the teams for Thursday. This is when things usually start to get interesting as teams fight for spots in their group

Montpellier: Anthony Floch, Julien Malzieu, Timoci Nagusa, Robert Ebersohn, Marvin O'Connor; Demetri Catrakilis, Nic White; Mikheil Nariashvili, Charles Geli, Jannie Du Plessis, Robins Tchale-Watchou, Paul Willemse, Fulgence Ouedraogo (capt), Antoine Battut, Akapusi Qera.

Replacements: Mickael Ivaldi, Pat Cilliers, Nicolas Mas, Sitaleki Timani, Wiaan Liebenberg, Benjamin Lucas, Anthony Tuitavke, Pierre Berard.

Cardiff Blues: Rhys Patchell, Alex Cuthbert, Garyn Smith, Rey Lee-Lo, Tom James; Jarrod Evans, Tavis Knoyle; Gethin Jenkins (capt), Kristian Dacey, Taufa'ao Filise, Jarrad Hoeata, Lou Reed, Macauley Cook, Josh Navidi, Manoa Vosawai.

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Sam Hobbs, Dillon Lewis, James Down, Josh Turnbull, Lloyd Williams, Tom Isaacs, Blaine Scully.

Gloucester: Cook; Sharples, Purdy, Twelvetrees (c), May; Hook, Laidlaw; Yann Thomas, Dawidiuk, Nicky Thomas; Savage, Galarza; Rowan, Kvesic, Ludlow.

Replacements: Lindsay, Murphy, McNulty, Stooke, Hicks, Heinz, Burns, Atkinson.

Worcester: Howard; Hammond, Grove, Symons, Biggs; Lamb, Mulchrone (c); Ruskin, Sowrey, Daniels; Sanderson, Cavubati; Betty, Kirwan, Mama.

Replacements: Bregvadze, Bower, Milasinovich, Barry, Taylor, Arr, Eden, Stelling.

13-12-14 CHAMPIONS CUP

SUNDAY

WASPS 23-25 BATH

WATSON SCORES WINNER FOR BATH IN LAST MINUTE

 

Anthony Watson's 85th-minute converted try secured Bath a dramatic win over Wasps in the European Champions Cup.

With new England boss Eddie Jones watching, Rob Miller's try looked enough for Wasps after Jonathan Joseph and Matt Banahan crossed for Bath.

But Wasps lost two men to the sin-bin in the final minutes as they tried to defend a five-point lead.

Watson's score in the corner followed by George Ford's difficult conversion handed Bath victory.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35041799

Nothing has been set in stone in this group as Leinster if they can get the wins are not out of it but this was a very Big win for Bath as they can see a passage to the quarters

TOULON 24-9 LEINSTER

ARMATAGE DOUBLE GIVES TOULON VITAL WIN

 

Defending champions Toulon claimed a first Champions Cup victory of the season by beating winless Leinster.

Steffon Armitage touched down from a catch and drive, with Eric Escande kicking the conversion and a penalty for Toulon's first-half points.

Johnny Sexton's three penalties kept the visitors in touch, but Escande added three of his own after the break.

Armitage crossed again at the death to all but end Leinster's prospects of progressing from Pool Five.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35072696

Toulon look ready to go again for the European cup as this was a massive game for both sides. Leinster are now starting to realise they are in trouble.

OYONNAX 10-45 SARACENS

ITOJE TRY PUTS SARACENS IN DREAMLAND

 

Saracens ran in six tries to thrash Oyonnax and take control of their European Champions Cup group.

A penalty try and scores from Alex Goode and Chris Wyles gave Sarries a 24-3 lead at half-time.

The bonus point was wrapped up four minutes after the break as Maro Itoje crossed, shortly before Richard Wigglesworth touched down.

Arthur Aziza went over for Oyonnax but Schalk Brits was awarded a late effort to complete the rout for Saracens.

Aziza's try was a deserved consolation for the French side

WWW.BBC.CO.UK

Saracens are definitely one of the big teams in this years European cup asnd would be one to watch out for come the Knockout stages

 

12-12-15 RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP

SATURDAY

MUNSTER 19-31 LEISTER

YOUNGS TRY PUTS LEISTER IN SOME FORM OF DREAM STATE

 

Leicester maintained their 100% start to their European Champions Cup campaign with victory at Munster.

Niki Goneva's smart finish in the corner and Mike Fitzgerald's try after a Munster line-out error gave the English side a half-time lead.

Munster looked set to launch a comeback as James Cronin touched down.

But the Tigers scored through Ben Youngs, and even though Mike Sherry replied, the Irish province suffered a rare home defeat in the competition.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35041160

Munster are almost the opposite with good pro 12 form but week form in Europe but Leister do look like a team to watch out for going forwards.

TREVISO 17-50 STADE FRANCAIS

PARISE PUTS STADE OVER 50

 

Stade francais started like a shot tries from Waisea Vuidarvuwalu, Julien Arias, Paul Williams, Sylvain Nicolas and Herman Meyer Bosman saw the visitors secure a 36 point lead at the break. The hosts' defence was simply unable to cope with the French side's attack and it was far too easy for the Parisians. The second half was a quieter affair as Stade took their foot off the gas, another try from New Zealander Williams and one from Sergio Parisse on his return to Treviso took the visitors past the 50 point mark. This was before the home side found consolation in tries from Samuel Christie, Simone Ragusi and Marco Lazzaroni.

https://www.clubcall.com/rugby-match-reports/benetton-treviso-17-stade-francais-50-1792084.html

Results like this make me as the question should Italian teams get automatic places in the European Champions Cup as they are always bottom of the pro 12 and they just get mauled in matches maybe bring in nan international play off between Italian Russian Georgian clubs.

GLASGOW 43-6 SCARLETS

NIAYRAVRO HAT TRICK GIVES GLASGOW 5 IMPORTAN POINTS

 

Glasgow Warriors resurrected their European Champions Cup campaign, thrashing the Scarlets with a six-try display of physical bullying and backline ruthlessness.

Huge winger Taqele Naiyaravoro scored three tries, with Duncan Weir, James Malcolm and Tim Swinson also touching down for the hosts.

Steve Shingler kicked the Scarlets' only points with two penalties

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35069201

Glasgow have to win this type of match well if they are to stand any chance in the Champions Cup but they have to reach a semi to get a name in European Rugby.

RACING 33-3 NORTHAMPTON

DULIN DOUBLE LEAVES HAPPY FRECH CAMP

 

Dan Carter started his Racing Metro career by kicking six points in a resounding European Champions Cup win over Northampton Saints.

The New Zealand fly-half converted first-half tries from Henry Chavancy, Eddy Ben Arous and Brice Dulin.

Dulin's second score after the break secured the bonus point and Juan Imhoff finished a stylish move late on.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35041098

Racing sit on top of the table at the moment but until all matches are played this really means nothing

EXETER 31-14 CLERMONT

WALDROM DOUBLE GIVES CLERMOUNT BIG WIN

 

 Thomas Waldrom's two tries inspired Exeter Chiefs to a remarkable European Champions Cup win over last season's runners-up Clermont Auvergne.

Clermont led early on with scores for Hosea Gear and Aurelien Rougerie.

But Gareth Steenson's penalty put the Chiefs on the board before Waldrom's brace, Don Armand's effort and Mitch Lees' late try secured a bonus point.

OSPREYS 19-16 BORDEUX

BIGGAR TRY GIVES OSPRAYS BIG WIN

 

Dan Biggar scored all 19 points as Ospreys maintained their lead at the top of Pool 2 in the European Champions Cup with a hard-fought win over 14-man Bordeaux-Begles.

Bordeaux led at the interval through Felix Le Bourhis' try but Biggar's three penalties kept Ospreys in touch.

Jean-Baptiste Dubie was sent off for a high tackle on Biggar, whose converted try put Ospreys ahead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35031443

Ospreys have got there and maybe the pro 12s hops of the a quarter finalist this season. Dan Biggar is very important to them

FRIDAYS RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP 11-121-15

FRIDAY

ULSTER 38-0 TOLOUSE

ULSTER SHOW THEY CAN DO IT

Ulster produced a remarkable five-try rout of Toulouse in the European Champions Cup at Kingspan Stadium.

Nick Williams barged over in the 23rd minute before Andrew Trimble scored a sensational individual try to increase Ulster's lead to 17-0 at half-time.

Man of the match Ruan Pienaar set up a Luke Marshall score after the break with a brilliant crosskick.

Stuart McCloskey and Chris Henry also crossed as Toulouse failed to score in a European game for the first time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35060672

Ulster has shown that if they can get a result like this with the poor season they are having so far. I think that they are going to find difficult to reach the quarters as they do need wins from somewhere.

european champions cup predictions 11-11-15

PREDICTIONS

FRIDAY

ULSTER V TOLOUSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that Toulouse are much too strong for Ulster especially with the poor form that Ulster have been in in recent week. I think that it will be an achievement if Ulster get a losing bonus point.

SATURDAY

EXETER V CLERMOUNT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that this game will be a lot closer than people think so far as to say I cannot see the match being won by any more than 7 points and this could be the win that starts Exeter as a European force but I can also understand French teams away from home . I think that it will go to Exeter purely due to home advantage

OSPREYS V BORDEUX

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that the teams with the majority of their club players coming back from the world cup will find this Champions cup season difficult and I think that Ospreys are the same. I think that is the thing that will swing it the way of Bordeaux

GLASGOW V SCARLETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Glasgow can start well this will be a match that I think they can win comfortably

RACING V NORTHAMPTON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that this will be a very interesting tie between 2 very big clubs in Europe and I would not be surprised if it went one way then another but I think that Racing will be too strong and Northampton will find it difficult to compete at the end of the match

TREVISO V STADE FRANCAIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stade Farancais have to win this comfortably with a bonus point to be considered by anyone the team that they used to be about 10 or 15 years ago. I think that this will be a very big win for Stade Francais with a couple of hat tricks

MUNSTER V LEISTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

If this match was last year Munster would win it but it would be a battle and Munster are the Irish team that should do well in the European Cup this season as for past experience and league for. I do think this will be a battle but hope Munster win as an Irish or at least a pro 12 side needs to reach the quarters

SUNDAY

OYONNAX V SARACENS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This should be a very easy win for Saracens as Oyonnax are not the biggest club in European rugby

TOULON V LEINSTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2 best teams in Europe face of on Sunday at least based on the last few years but I do hope Leinster make this a match but |I do think Toulon will be too strong for them as they are one of few teams that could win the European cup and as Leinster lost to Wasps this could be a play off for them.

WASPS V BATH

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the way Wasps have played this year I can not see anything here but a bonus point win for Wasps