4 teams in the Heineken Cup

[scrumdown]

Congrats to Leinster on a great second half come back today
but even better for Irish rugby is the fact that Ireland will
have all four teams playing Heineken Cup rugby next year.

Best of luck to Connacht next season...not bad for a team the
powers above wanted to get rid of not too long ago!

[ustix]

A great day for Connacht rugby. Long live Connacht rugby.

[kilnamanagh]

Delighted for Connacht that they finally achieved Heineken
Rugby albeit in a roundabout fashion. Please God there will be
a few big nights in the Sportsground next season, it was
rocking for the Toulon match last year and hopefully there's
more of the same to come.

A few signings to strengthen up a few weak areas courtesy of
the money the IRFU made today would help!!!

[garryowen2323]

And well deserved too finishing ahead of teams that are guaranteed their places in Europe in the Magners League this year. Just a shame 4 of their best players will be sitting on the bench watching the Heineken Cup when they could and should be playing in it

[Demios]

GWAN THE WESTIES!

Sean Cronin was a bribe perhaps to drive Leinster on that bit more smileys/razz.gif

[Tifa]

When will the draw for next years groups take place?

[thegrifter]

will connacht's games be moved, surely they have to be,

whats the capacity of the galway's gaa ground, is it up to holding it?

[High Horse]

Just rewards for a great season for the boys from the west, a bit more respect from the powers to be will be to their advantage if it comes their way. Time to stand up for the west IRFU. Congrats to Connacht and of course the help by those Leinster guys

[busbi]

will connacht's games be moved, surely they have to be,
*whats the capacity of the galway's gaa ground, is it up to holding it?



Just to nip this in the bud, no Connacht games will be held in Pearse Stadium or
any other GAA ground next season. Rules don't allow it, and both Organisations
have came out and clearly said that.

Will be an interesting season for Connacht. I wonder would all the young players
who re-signed for Munster have done the same if they knew Connacht would
have HEC rugby next season? Are there any more that they could sign up before
next season?

Indeed, would Hagan, Cronin, Carr and Keatley all have signed for
Leinster/Munster next season if they knew they'd have HEC rugby at Connacht
next year?

Really looking forward to seeing Maguire with Connacht next year. He has
massive potential at TH, and to have the HEC to show it in will be great. They'll
struggle to replace Keatley and Cronin though.

[thegrifter]

is this the way croke park wouldn't allow soccer into itsmileys/wink.gif
i'm sure its just jostling for position before they tease out how many would want to attend the matches..

if more that capacity of show grounds would like to attend, i could see them moving
and gaa im sure would help

[busbi]

is this the way croke park wouldn't allow soccer into itsmileys/wink.gifi'm sure its just jostling
for position before they tease out how many would want to attend the matches..if more that capacity
of show grounds would like to attend,* i could see them movingand gaa im sure would help



Yes it is. Until they changed that rule at the annual congress, they only event where it can be changed. The
annual congress was last month, so the rule can't get changed in time for Connacht to play in
Pearse Stadium in time for October.

Not a massive deal i would have thought anyway. Perhaps Athlone might be worth a punt, or the use
of temporary seating at the sportsgrounds or something.

[Liam2me]

forgive my ignorance but why are Connacht in the HEC next year?


I thought the entry criteria was: top 3 Irish teams based on the magners, winning the Amlin themselves or another Irish side winning the Amlin who already had a HEC spot. How is this year different from 2006, 2008, 2009?

[ormond lad]

forgive my ignorance but why are Connacht in the HEC next year?


I thought the entry criteria was: top 3 Irish teams based on the magners, winning the Amlin themselves or another Irish side winning the Amlin who already had a HEC spot. How is this year different from 2006, 2008, 2009?





The club that wins the HEC earns an extra place for their country. rules changed for last year to allow it

[Liam2me]

ah right, didn't know that. Great news for Connacht, can't wait to see what group they get.

[Dowlinz]

Are there country/league restrictions in the draw or would it be theoretically possible for Munster, Ulster and Connacht to all land in the same pool? (assuming Munster and Leinster are both 1st seeds)

[The Word Is Born]

will connacht's games be moved, surely they have to be,

whats the capacity of the galway's gaa ground, is it up to holding it?







Just to nip this in the bud, no Connacht games will be held in Pearse Stadium or

any other GAA ground next season. Rules don't allow it, and both Organisations

have came out and clearly said that.



Will be an interesting season for Connacht. I wonder would all the young players

who re-signed for Munster have done the same if they knew Connacht would

have HEC rugby next season? Are there any more that they could sign up before

next season?



Indeed, would Hagan, Cronin, Carr and Keatley all have signed for

Leinster/Munster next season if they knew they'd have HEC rugby at Connacht

next year?



Really looking forward to seeing Maguire with Connacht next year. He has

massive potential at TH, and to have the HEC to show it in will be great. They'll

struggle to replace Keatley and Cronin though.

They can play the HEC games down in Killarney. The ga don't own it.

[ormond lad]

Are there country/league restrictions in the draw or would it be theoretically possible for Munster, Ulster and Connacht to all land in the same pool? (assuming Munster and Leinster are both 1st seeds)


only the 7th french/english clubcan bein a groupwith a club from their own country


munster and leinster are 1st seeds,

[Healy52003]

So there going to be f**k all intrest in the Challenge cup 2011/12 from an Irish Propective ??

Great to see Connacht in the Heniken cup but it could be hard for them if they get someone like Toulouse.

[ustix]

Yep, could be hard alright...

[Viigand]

I don't think Toulouse would fancy a trip to the Sportsground on a wet and windy December though! Could be a great chance for Connacht to boost the game in the west if they got a high profile name like Toulouse in the 'draw'.

[The Outlaw]

I don't think Toulouse would fancy a trip
to the Sportsground on a wet and windy December though!
Could be a great chance for Connacht to boost the game in
the west if they got a high profile name like Toulouse in the
'draw'.

Its great we're in it. Not so so good that we're in it with a
weakened squad. we may as well pull all the big teams to
boost the profile of the game in the West because we're
only making up the numbers.

The additional revenue will certainly help. However Pearse
Stadium is out of bounds. Hard to know where they can
move the games to.

[ustix]

Ah come on now. You're not seriously suggesting that the H
Cup draw is rigged...

[cud_]

I don't think Toulouse would fancy a trip

to the Sportsground on a wet and windy December though!

Could be a great chance for Connacht to boost the game in

the west if they got a high profile name like Toulouse in the

'draw'.



Its great we're in it. Not so so good that we're in it with a

weakened squad. we may as well pull all the big teams to

boost the profile of the game in the West because we're

only making up the numbers.



The additional revenue will certainly help. However Pearse

Stadium is out of bounds. Hard to know where they can

move the games to.

I'd be surprised if Connacht don't make a few more signings. CEO was saying during the week that they are still after a high quality center. The HC will improve their chances of finding one massively. Will also be a glut of players on the market as well.

[Westerner]

After yesterday, there will have to be another couple signings. This is a great weekend for Connacht Rugby (and for Leinster as well of course!). Massive for the future of the provience.

In a world cup year, it is great to see an Irish side win the Heineken Cup, as well as the top 3 teams of the Magners League being Irish. Leinster were unbeaten in Europe this year and were undoubtably the best team, but what a boost it would be going forward should Munster win next weekend. The more players embracing a winning atmosphere before jetting off to NZ the better.

[Mule]

I don't think
Toulouse would fancy a trip
to the Sportsground on a wet and windy December though!
Could be a great chance for Connacht to boost the game in
the west if they got a high profile name like Toulouse in the
'draw'.

Its great we're in it. Not so so good that we're in it with a
weakened squad. we may as well pull all the big teams to
boost the profile of the game in the West because we're
only making up the numbers.

The additional revenue will certainly help. However Pearse
Stadium is out of bounds. Hard to know where they can
move the games to.

I'm sure an arrangement will be made at Thomond.

[porterbelly]

The games will be in the Sportsground next year.
Possible there'll be work on putting up a new stand, designs
are there and planning permission has been granted, we just
need the money to go ahead with it.

Better having the Sportsground heaving than a big GAA
ground only a third full.

Roll on next season. Toulouse in the Sportsground, packed
house, wet ball, soft sod, cracking atmosphere, and
O'Concrete and Muldoon running amok. Dreamland

[Westerner]

Roll on next season. Toulouse in the Sportsground, packed

house, wet ball, soft sod, cracking atmosphere, and

O'Concrete and Muldoon running amok. Dreamland

here, here, and you can add the returning legend that is George Naopu into that mix...

[Combatlogo]

So there going to be f**k all intrest in the Challenge cup 2011/12 from an Irish Propective ??



No, good chance De Liiiggggiiinndddss will be taking part again come the knock-out stages.

[mikerob]

As there are 3 French teams in the fourth seeds, Biarritz, Toulouse and Clermont are guaranteed to draw Aironi, Treviso and Connacht so one of those big name French teams will be visiting the Sportsgrounds.

[Piquet]

As there are 3 French teams in the fourth
seeds, Biarritz, Toulouse and Clermont are guaranteed to
draw Aironi, Treviso and Connacht so one of those big name
French teams will be visiting the Sportsgrounds.

and all three will have a weak team in their Pool.

[Waterfordlad]

So there going to be f**k all intrest in the Challenge cup 2011/12 from an Irish Propective ??



No, good chance De Liiiggggiiinndddss will be taking part again come the knock-out stages. Ah dat's why we love dose Leinster fans ... such graciousness

[Waterfordlad]

After yesterday, there will have to be another couple signings. This is a great weekend for Connacht Rugby (and for Leinster as well of course!). Massive for the future of the provience.

In a world cup year, it is great to see an Irish side win the Heineken Cup, as well as the top 3 teams of the Magners League being Irish. Leinster were unbeaten in Europe this year and were undoubtably the best team, but what a boost it would be going forward should Munster win next weekend. The more players embracing a winning atmosphere before jetting off to NZ the better.
Genuinely not sour grapes but to be factual Clermont beat them at home

[Dowlinz]

So there going to be f**k all intrest in the Challenge cup 2011/12 from an Irish Propective ??

Great to see Connacht in the Heniken cup but it could be hard for them if they get someone like Toulouse.



Who gets the place in the challenge cup connacht would otherwise have?

[offshorerules]

After yesterday, there will have to be another couple signings. This is a great weekend for Connacht Rugby (and for Leinster as well of course!). Massive for the future of the provience.

In a world cup year, it is great to see an Irish side win the Heineken Cup, as well as the top 3 teams of the Magners League being Irish. Leinster were unbeaten in Europe this year and were undoubtably the best team, but what a boost it would be going forward should Munster win next weekend. The more players embracing a winning atmosphere before jetting off to NZ the better.
Genuinely not sour grapes but to be factual Clermont beat them at home


And they say the liggggiiiinds aren't bitter.

[Westerner]

After yesterday, there will have to be another couple signings. This is a great weekend for Connacht Rugby (and for Leinster as well of course!). Massive for the future of the provience.

In a world cup year, it is great to see an Irish side win the Heineken Cup, as well as the top 3 teams of the Magners League being Irish. Leinster were unbeaten in Europe this year and were undoubtably the best team, but what a boost it would be going forward should Munster win next weekend. The more players embracing a winning atmosphere before jetting off to NZ the better.
Genuinely not sour grapes but to be factual Clermont beat them at home


My bad, if ever there was a place where that mistake would be found, it is definetly here anyways. I'm just glad that it wasn't NoSweat who had to correct this and start calling for my head in anger.

[MMLF]

So there going to be f**k all intrest in the Challenge cup 2011/12 from an Irish Propective ??

Great to see Connacht in the Heniken cup but it could be hard for them if they get someone like Toulouse.



Munster generated great interest in the Amlin this year...maybe they can do it again next year smileys/wink.gif

[Bosco]

Connacht qualifying for the HEC is bad for both Leinster and
Munster, neither can get them in their group smileys/sad.gif

[Mule]

After yesterday, there will have to be
another couple signings. This is a great weekend for
Connacht Rugby (and for Leinster as well of course!).
Massive for the future of the provience. In a world cup
year, it is great to see an Irish side win the Heineken Cup,
as well as the top 3 teams of the Magners League being
Irish. Leinster were unbeaten in Europe
this year </font>and were undoubtably the best team,
but what a boost it would be going forward should Munster
win next weekend. The more players embracing a winning
atmosphere before jetting off to NZ the better.
Genuinely not sour grapes but to be factual Clermont beat
them at home


My bad, if ever there was a place where that mistake
would be found, it is definetly here anyways. I'm just glad
that it wasn't NoSweat who had to correct this and start
calling for my head in anger.

smileys/lol.gif smileys/lol.gif smileys/lol.gif