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The State of the Pools as the European Champions Cup Returns

Expect another thunderous clash between Wasps and Toulouse in the European Champions Cup this weekend Picture: Getty Images

The northern hemisphere’s major domestic competitions take a two-week break as the European competitions returns. James Harrington takes a look at the state of the pools going into the penultimate round of the Champions Cup.

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POOL 1
Munster (16pts) | Glasgow Warriors (13) | Leicester Tigers (8) | Racing 92 (0)
What has happened to Racing 92? A squad like that should ease into the knockout phase of the Champions Cup, even in a tough pool like this. And yet, here at the business end of the pool phase, the Top 14 champions and last season’s losing Champions Cup finalists are bottom of the pool one pile, have no points and not even pride left to play for. Their lack of interest in the tournament was clear from the moment their side to play last weekend’s rearranged game against Munster was announced. The battle for top spot is between Munster, who continue to pay the perfect tribute to former coach Anthony Foley, and Glasgow Warriors. The top two meet at Scotstoun this weekend in what looks a lot like a must-watch encounter – and do not be too surprised to see both sides in the last eight; while Racing have one last chance to avoid total ignominy as they welcome Leicester to Stade Yves du Manoir before they head to southwest Ireland for the final round.

POOL 2
Wasps (13pts) | Toulouse (13) | Connacht (13) | Zebre (0)
This is the pool for those who love nothing more than lengthy arguments over permutations. Three sides are level on points – and two of them have to play Zebre. Connacht entertain the whipping boys from Italy this week; while Wasps face them Parma next weekend. Given the likelihood of five points for the Irish and English side in those games, the outcome of this pool rests on the results of their remaining games – both against the other side on 13 points in pool two: four-time European champions Toulouse. Wasps, arguably, have the easiest route to a quarter-final berth. This weekend, they entertain the Top 14 side in what should be the Ricoh Arena’s second blood-and-thunder encounter in a week, while Connacht have what could well be an all-to-play-for trip to Stade Ernest Wallon for the final round of the pool phase. It’s likely that two teams from this pool will qualify for the knockout phase – by the narrowest of margins

POOL 3
Saracens (18pts) | Toulon (10) | Scarlets (8) | Sale Sharks (0)
Reports circulating in the French rugby media suggest the future of at least some of Toulon’s current coaching staff rests on whether the three-time champions reach the last eight – which may go some way to explaining the appointment of ex-Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill as consultant forwards coach until the end of the season. If Cockerill saw how easily Clermont demolished his new charges in Sunday’s Top 14 clash, he will be painfully aware of the work ahead. He was due to start his new job this week, which means he will have only one match – this weekend’s visit of Scarlets – before Toulon head to the UK to face pool-toppers and defending champions Saracens – the side that ended his tenure at Leicester. Realistically, the French side need two big wins – including at least one attacking bonus point – to be certain of a place in the last eight. That is the toughest of asks, as even an injury-ravaged Saracens – hot favourites for a home match in the quarters – are almost impossible to beat at home.

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POOL 4
Leinster (16pts) | Montpellier (11) | Castres Olympique (9) | Northampton Saints (4)
Leinster have this pool in the bag – and will have a place in the knockout phase sewn up if they beat Montpellier at the RDS this weekend. A win over Castres the following weekend would ensure a home quarter-final. The immediate problem for the Irish side is that beating Montpellier is easier said than done. The direct, relentless Héraultais don’t stop coming forward – and trying to front up to them is generally not recommended. The trick to beating Jake White’s side is to think wide and kick tactically. Fijian wing monsters Nemani Nadolo and Timoci Nagusa are close to unstoppable with the ball in hand, but they turn like tankers that have been holed below the water line. Mathematically, third-place Castres could overtake the top two, but realistically, that is not going to happen. They would need bonus-point wins against Northampton and Leinster, Montpellier to win in Dublin and for Saints to pick up four points on the south coast of France on the final weekend. It’s rather more likely that Montpellier will qualify for the last eight.

POOL 5
Clermont Auvergne (17pts) | Bordeaux Begles (9) | Ulster (9) | Exeter Chiefs (6)
Pool five is Clermont’s for the taking – they are eight points ahead of Bordeaux and Ulster with two games to play. But nightmare memories of last season’s competition, when they threw away a gilt-edged invitation to the quarter-finals by missing out on a losing bonus point in their final game of the pool phase will weigh heavy. They have a tough trip to Bordeaux (architects of their nightmare scenario last season) to navigate this week, followed by the visit of Premiership high-fliers Exeter, whose Champions Cup hopes were killed off during an early season struggle for form. Still, it would take something approaching a miracle for the Top 14 leaders not to reach the knockout phase, given how strong they have been at home all season. Meanwhile, if Ulster win at Sandy Park this weekend, they could be in a shot of reaching the last eight, as they then face poor-travellers Bordeaux at the Kingspan in the final round.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 3 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
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