Comments on: European Rugby Challenge Cup 2014/2015: Round 1 Predictions

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 12:09:10 +0000

I guess that’s something at least then, but I think it may end up a bit like the Anglo-Welsh. Play your reserves in the pool stages and if you reach the knock-outs you might take it seriously.

By: Niall

Niall — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 11:55:17 +0000

agree that its a bit crap that the winners of the Challenge cup don’t get automatic entry to the Champions cup, but as a point of information, the winners of the challenge cup, if they haven’t already got qualification to the champions cup or the play offs, are given their league’s spot in the play offs.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 11:39:50 +0000

I’m not sure about this competition.

When the Heineken Cup sides dropped into the Amlin, it meant you had to win your pool to progress.

Now we have some tough pools, but because there 3 of the 5 second placed teams will also go through, there’s not the same sense of “do or die” in the pools.

I also find it surprising that they have “given” the Champions Cup spot that was previously for winning the Challenge Cup to a fabricated play-off system, therefore making the Challenge Cup less worthwhile.

In the pool stages I can’t see the Challenge Cup teams going to hard for this competition with the changes, as there is a higher change of getting to the knock-outs, and also less reward if you do. The alternative is to focus on the league, where you may have a relegation battle or a better chance of securing Champions Cup qualification next season.

If a side made the Champions Cup play-offs and the Challenge Cup final, which do you think they would prioritise?