NPR

Posted: **Tue Jan 14, 2025 7:57 pm**

topofthemoon wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 7:08 pm Permuations calculator for the final round of Champions Cup 2024/25. If you've ever wondered what impact a double BP draw between Racing and Stormers might have on the Round of 16 draw, then wonder no more...

https://1drv.ms/x/c/8144ec736dc4e2fb/Ec ... DA4NTdBN30

Great stuff, TOTM

Posted: **Tue Jan 14, 2025 8:09 pm**

And the same for the Challenge Cup:

https://1drv.ms/x/c/8144ec736dc4e2fb/EV ... DA4NTdBN30

Posted: **Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:34 pm**

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:22 pm
clydecloggie wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:15 pm Did Beast come from Walvis Baai? I never knew.

<Runs for cover>
no he is from Zimbabwe.

walvisbaai is Ox story about Percy Montgomery and he is right.

The best poach from Namibia is Jurenzo Julies. He scored against Toulouse coming from the bench. Excellent player. Blame that on Paul Roos, he went to Paul Roos. The Sharks poached him from the Stormers.

Lot of poaching this kid but a Springbok in the making.

Yes, yes, know all that, Apologies for the bad joke.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:30 am**

Article in Midi Olympique about how Leinster are able to sign quality of the likes of BB with a wage bill that's the highest in Europe., the big spivs. It might be that Monsieur Valzer is typing out of his arse, of course, but I post it anyway.
https://archive.ph/QQT1B

Google translate is your friend if you no speaky the lingo.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 5:03 am**

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:34 pm
OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:22 pm
clydecloggie wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:15 pm Did Beast come from Walvis Baai? I never knew.

<Runs for cover>
no he is from Zimbabwe.

walvisbaai is Ox story about Percy Montgomery and he is right.

The best poach from Namibia is Jurenzo Julies. He scored against Toulouse coming from the bench. Excellent player. Blame that on Paul Roos, he went to Paul Roos. The Sharks poached him from the Stormers.

Lot of poaching this kid but a Springbok in the making.
Yes, yes, know all that, Apologies for the bad joke.

And the Stormers poaching of ex Sharks players continues unabated. Stormers have signed ex Sharks Cobus Reinach. They may as well just call the Stormers ....Sharks Castle light.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:06 am**

Sards wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 5:03 am
clydecloggie wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:34 pm
OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:22 pm
no he is from Zimbabwe.

walvisbaai is Ox story about Percy Montgomery and he is right.

The best poach from Namibia is Jurenzo Julies. He scored against Toulouse coming from the bench. Excellent player. Blame that on Paul Roos, he went to Paul Roos. The Sharks poached him from the Stormers.

Lot of poaching this kid but a Springbok in the making.
Yes, yes, know all that, Apologies for the bad joke.
And the Stormers poaching of ex Sharks players continues unabated. Stormers have signed ex Sharks Cobus Reinach. They may as well just call the Stormers ....Sharks Castle light.

Poaching ex Shark players? You realize that Reinach is playing for a French club after he have been with an Engish club. Blame the English club. The Sharks poached him from the Cheetahs. The Stormers give him an old age home.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:09 am**

There is no such thing as poaching in professional rugby ffs.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:10 am**

Lets move on.

ROUND 4
Friday 17 January
Ulster v Exeter Chiefs (8pm)
Saturday 18 January
Bulls v Stade Français (1pm)
Northampton Saints v Munster (3.15pm)
Clermont Auvergne v Bristol (3.15pm) Free on France TV
Benetton v La Rochelle (5.30pm)
Leinster v Bath (5.30pm) Free on RTÉ
Harlequins v Glasgow Warriors (8pm)
Racing 92 v Stormers (8pm)
Sunday 19 January
Bordeaux-Bègles v Sharks (1pm)
Saracens v Castres (3.15pm)
Toulouse v Leicester Tigers (3.15pm) Free on France TV
Sale Sharks v Toulon (5.30pm)

Last roll of the dice

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:12 am**

What I like about this competition is the amount of rugby. two matches at the same time. Harlequins, Stormers and Racing fighting for survival and their matches on at the same time.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:26 am**

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:10 am Lets move on.

ROUND 4
Friday 17 January
Ulster v Exeter Chiefs (8pm). Home win
Saturday 18 January
Bulls v Stade Français (1pm) Home win
Northampton Saints v Munster (3.15pm) Draw
Clermont Auvergne v Bristol (3.15pm) Free on France TV Home win
Benetton v La Rochelle (5.30pm) Away win
Leinster v Bath (5.30pm) Free on RTÉ Home win
Harlequins v Glasgow Warriors (8pm) Away win
Racing 92 v Stormers (8pm) Home win
Sunday 19 January
Bordeaux-Bègles v Sharks (1pm) Home win
Saracens v Castres (3.15pm) Home win
Toulouse v Leicester Tigers (3.15pm) Free on France TV Home win
Sale Sharks v Toulon (5.30pm) Away win

Last roll of the dice

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:28 am**

assfly wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:09 am There is no such thing as poaching in professional rugby ffs.

quite..........but its nice to remind the Stomps like ouboet that kept on about the Sharks poaching Paarl gym and Stormers players.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:31 am**

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:12 am What I like about this competition is the amount of rugby. two matches at the same time. Harlequins, Stormers and Racing fighting for survival and their matches on at the same time.

Stormers are blessed with an easy pool. Imagine playing Toulouse and Bagles on consecutive weekends home and away

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 7:18 am**

Sards wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:31 am
OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:12 am What I like about this competition is the amount of rugby. two matches at the same time. Harlequins, Stormers and Racing fighting for survival and their matches on at the same time.
Stormers are blessed with an easy pool. Imagine playing Toulouse and Bagles on consecutive weekends home and away

Your comparison of Sharks vs Stormers is old news. Try something new.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 8:35 am**

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:22 pm
clydecloggie wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:15 pm Did Beast come from Walvis Baai? I never knew.

<Runs for cover>
no he is from Zimbabwe.

walvisbaai is Ox story about Percy Montgomery and he is right.

The best poach from Namibia is Jurenzo Julies. He scored against Toulouse coming from the bench. Excellent player. Blame that on Paul Roos, he went to Paul Roos. The Sharks poached him from the Stormers.

Lot of poaching this kid but a Springbok in the making.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 9:17 am**

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 7:18 am
Sards wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:31 am
OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:12 am What I like about this competition is the amount of rugby. two matches at the same time. Harlequins, Stormers and Racing fighting for survival and their matches on at the same time.
Stormers are blessed with an easy pool. Imagine playing Toulouse and Bagles on consecutive weekends home and away
Your comparison of Sharks vs Stormers is old news. Try something new.

Funny story......my boys and I support MICT in the SA20....Go figure

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 9:49 am**

topofthemoon wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 8:09 pm And the same for the Challenge Cup:

https://1drv.ms/x/c/8144ec736dc4e2fb/EV ... DA4NTdBN30

The numbers in that when I clicked on the link, which seem fairly sensible had Edinburgh at home in the last 16 to Gloucester, who they played in the group stage, and if they were to win that, at home to Bayonne, who they played in the group stage. And if they win that, potentially against Vannes in the semifinal. Who they played in the group stage. Mental.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:06 pm**

inactionman wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:30 am Article in Midi Olympique about how Leinster are able to sign quality of the likes of BB with a wage bill that's the highest in Europe., the big spivs. It might be that Monsieur Valzer is typing out of his arse, of course, but I post it anyway.
https://archive.ph/QQT1B

Google translate is your friend if you no speaky the lingo.

Leinster has a 42 member senior squad. €16M would be an average wage of €381k

That's not even plucked out of his own arse, but out of a magical unicorn's arse!

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:36 pm**

PornDog wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:06 pm
inactionman wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 12:30 am Article in Midi Olympique about how Leinster are able to sign quality of the likes of BB with a wage bill that's the highest in Europe., the big spivs. It might be that Monsieur Valzer is typing out of his arse, of course, but I post it anyway.
https://archive.ph/QQT1B

Google translate is your friend if you no speaky the lingo.

Leinster has a 42 member senior squad. €16M would be an average wage of €381k

That's not even plucked out of his own arse, but out of a magical unicorn's arse!

And it ignores the fact that this "wage" covers Ireland duties too.

I have issues with some of the advantages that Leinster are milking out of the system but this article misses the point completely.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 1:22 pm**

I always love the frenzied denial reaction when somebody dares breaks the Irish Omerta that Leinster spend absolutely shit loads and more than anyone else.

Then win bugger all again.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 1:49 pm**

Biffer wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 9:49 am
topofthemoon wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 8:09 pm And the same for the Challenge Cup:

https://1drv.ms/x/c/8144ec736dc4e2fb/EV ... DA4NTdBN30
The numbers in that when I clicked on the link, which seem fairly sensible had Edinburgh at home in the last 16 to Gloucester, who they played in the group stage, and if they were to win that, at home to Bayonne, who they played in the group stage. And if they win that, potentially against Vannes in the semifinal. Who they played in the group stage. Mental.

It's a great competition.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:26 pm**

Kawazaki wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 1:22 pm I always love the frenzied denial reaction when somebody dares breaks the Irish Omerta that Leinster spend absolutely shit loads and more than anyone else.

Then win bugger all again.

Frenzied?

You seem to be confusing me with a Leinster fan.

Fact is that most of these articles just don't get that the "club level" wage covers international rugby as well.

And there's a breakdown on Reddit. They can't get the numbers to add up so the journo is probably coming up with something closer to the entire budget for the pro team, not just salaries.

Posted: **Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:53 pm**

Sards wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 9:17 am
OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 7:18 am
Sards wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:31 am

Stormers are blessed with an easy pool. Imagine playing Toulouse and Bagles on consecutive weekends home and away
Your comparison of Sharks vs Stormers is old news. Try something new.
Funny story......my boys and I support MICT in the SA20....Go figure

Paarl Rocks!!

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 3:24 am**

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 6:53 pm
Sards wrote: Wed Jan 15, 2025 9:17 am Funny story......my boys and I support MICT in the SA20....Go figure
Paarl Rocks!!

That was no surprise. Man Roots is another dimension. Picks the gaps with ease.

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 2:12 pm**

Stormers B for Racing

Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Date: Saturday, January 18
Venue: La Defense Arena, Paris
Kick-off: 21.00 (22.00 SA time; 20.00 GMT)
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:01 pm**

Quins have picked a kid with 17 minutes of premiership + European experience to start against Glasgow at 12. At least it won't be against Sione.

And it's only the second scariest selection decision, with James Chisholm starting at lock. Wtf.

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:43 pm**

Bulls v Stade Francais
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off 15.00; 16.00 France time; 13.00 GMT)
Fixture
Investec Champions Cup

Bulls
15:00
18 Jan 2025

Teams

Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marcelle Coetzee, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Canan Moodie

Stade Francais: 15 Joe Jonas, 14 Raffaele Storti, 13 Leo Monin, 12 Julien Delbouis, 11 Charles Laloi, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Thibaut Motassi, 8 Yoan Tanga, 7 Sekou Macalou (captain), 6 Pierre Huguet, 5 Baptiste Pesenti, 4 Juan-Martin Scelzo, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Alvaro Garcia Albo, 1 Isaac Koffi
Replacements: 16 Luka Petriashvili, 17 Hugo N’Diaye, 18 Braxton Asi, 19 Ollie McCrea, 20 Andy Timo, 21 Mamoudou Meite, 22 Louis Foursans-Bourdette, 23 Mathis Ibo

Referee: Adam Leal
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce, Hamish Grant
TMO: Stuart Terheege

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:44 pm**

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 2:12 pm Stormers B for Racing

Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis.

Date: Saturday, January 18
Venue: La Defense Arena, Paris
Kick-off: 21.00 (22.00 SA time; 20.00 GMT)
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)

Teams

Racing 92: 15 Tristan Tedder, 14 Vinaya Habosi, 13 Josua Tuisova, 12 Dan Lancaster, 11 Max Spring, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Nolann le Garrec, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Maxime Baudonne, 6 Ibrahim Diallo (captain), 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Thomas Laclayat, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Hassane Kolingar
Replacements: 16 Diego Escobar, 17 Guram Gogichashvili, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Boris Palu, 20 Jordan Joseph, 21 Cameron Woki, 22 Antoine Gibert, 23 Henry Chavancy

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:45 pm**

Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Arthur Retiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (captain), 8 Tevita Tatafu, 7 Temo Matiu, 6 Marko Gazzotti, 5 Alexandre Ricard, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Connor Sa, 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Ugo Boniface, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Jacques Nguimbous, 20 Lachie Swinton, 21 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Joey Carbery

Sharks: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant Referees: Joe James, Jamie Leahy
TMO: Dean Richards

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:47 pm**

Jurie Matthee vs Owen Farrell. Eina

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:51 pm**

Game of the weekend

van Graan vs NieNaber

Leinster v Bath

Teams

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Garry Ringrose, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Jamie Osborne, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Max Deegan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Caelan Doris, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jimmy O’Brien

Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben Spencer (captain, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 7 Miles Reid, 6 Ted Hill, 5 Ross Molony, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Beno Obano,
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Jaco Coetzee

Referee: Luc Ramos
Assistant Referees: Thomas Charabas, Jonathan Gasnier
TMO: Julien Castaignede

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:28 pm**

All Leinster second rows for both teams

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:52 pm**

PornDog wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:28 pm All Leinster second rows for both teams

Roux was at Leinster?

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:56 pm**

Yup, before he headed over to Connacht

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:53 pm**

Ulster v Exeter cripple fight about to kick off, Exeter make 12 changes, clearly taking it seriously

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:13 pm**

ASMO wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:53 pm Ulster v Exeter cripple fight about to kick off, Exeter make 12 changes, clearly taking it seriously

And still beating sh*thouse Ulster.

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:17 pm**

There's one for the Exeter 8's highlights reel

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:21 pm**

Meantime Mont have made 200 tackles already (feels like it) and not gotten out of their half bar to score a try!

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:25 pm**

ASMO wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:53 pm Ulster v Exeter cripple fight about to kick off, Exeter make 12 changes, clearly taking it seriously

Dreadful match

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:29 pm**

SaintK wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:25 pm
ASMO wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:53 pm Ulster v Exeter cripple fight about to kick off, Exeter make 12 changes, clearly taking it seriously
Dreadful match

Not even close to the Falcons v MH. I've seen more interesting turds on the local park.

Posted: **Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:32 pm**

Wonder what the record, average points concession is for a Prem side in Europe?

210 in 4 games so far for Exeter.

NPR

2024/2025 Not Heineken Cup

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