Comments on: European Rugby Challenge Cup 2014/2015: Round 2 Predictions

By: laraxwell

laraxwell — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 15:39:37 +0000

Agreed -kudos to Jamie for sending out picks on a Thursday…far easier to react to the picks than pioneer them. I think the Challenge Cup needs a reward -would suggest not 1,but even 2 spots afforded to the following year’s Cup. Cue more squabbles amongst the leagues.
Of course still no certainty of T14 sides taking tournamenbt seriously, ie with only 4 or 5 of those sides with strong enough depth to tackle domestic and European leagues

By: Peter Evans brit47 on superbru

Peter Evans brit47 on superbru — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 15:16:50 +0000

Larax is corrrect. Jamie does not have the luxury of seeing the team sheets before making picks. We ought to give him leeway to make picks in stages once he has viewed teams. One could have anticipated Edinburgh win last week. The French are making this tournament a waste of time. Shame. They should sign a contract as part of participation that they will field a 1st XV. They are getting the benefit of money for rubbish. We could get teams who really want to take part. Maybe national teams from Georgia, Russia and Romania? BTW. Well done Scarlets for putting out a strong team when they were potentially on a hiding to nothing. They gave value for money.

By: laraxwelllaraxwell

laraxwelllaraxwell — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:48:21 +0000

You are absolutely right about the French sides not taking the Challenge Cup seriously -I mean you take away the carrot of Champions Cup qualification and there';s not a whole lot to play for. But Bordeaux have actually chosen a strong side for this evenings game -almost strongest available if you look at their line ups for recent Castres 59-7 win v Castres. They rested players last weekend and it backfired. But I think they’re prepping for a serious cut at Stade Francais in Paris next week, and will treat the game v London Welsh as a full blooded training game. Conditions set to be dry so looking forward to seeing Metuisela Talebulamaijaina on the wing.
Of the French sides in T14, Bordeaux are amongst the better travellers…lost 18-13 away to Toulon and turned over new boys La Rochelle on their travels also.
Treviso and London Welsh have been whipping boys in their domestic leagues. I am genuinely sorry to see this, but I cannot see a change any time soon. Bordeaux by a lot I fear.

Agree with London Irish pick but could be by more -Grenoble not commited here with same side out as per last week.
I think Zebre will go closer than 20 v Brive. Zebre have named a strong side, and look by far the strongest Italian side now.
I think Edinburgh will thump Lyon by 20+
Wolves should do better v SF ..ie if you took a form line through last weekends game.
But I appreciate the lottery element to some of these picks..French sides may not be motivated by the competition itself, but may call on stronger line ups when preparing their teams for ensuing T14 clashes.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:43:58 +0000

Mmm maybe 5 was s bit low, but Oyonnax have beaten the likes of Clermont and Toulon at home, so depending on how much of their first team they decide to play it’s not too much of a stretch to suggest it’ll be a close game.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:36:33 +0000

Glos by 5? 50 surely?!