2023-12-08 09:30:33
The thinking heads of the EPCR must live in a world apart, lost in a universe as disconcerting as the unpredictable bounces of an oval ball. A universe where the Pisa ranking would not exist. The level of students in mathematics is plummeting in France but also in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy and the institution which organizes the European Cup has fun concocting and twisting formulas that are as complex as ever. , season after season.
The 2023-2024 edition, which opens this Friday, is no exception to the rule. You will have to find your little ones there. Like last season, South African clubs (the Bulls and the Stormers in the Champions Cup) are invited to participate in the European event. No carbon expenditure to reduce or worrying global warming in this world. The miles by plane line up with impunity.
“Our goal has always been to ensure that everyone can easily understand”
Other stable data, the number of teams – there are 24 on the starting line – and the final phase, made up of eighths, quarters, semis and a final (May 24 in London), each time on only one match. Change, however, for the group stage: four groups of six instead of two groups of twelve. And the principle is still confusing. Each team plays four others, traveling and receiving twice. And two teams from the same championship, like the Top 14 (there are 8 French representatives: La Rochelle, Toulouse, Racing 92, Stade Français, Toulon, Bordeaux-Bègles, Bayonne, Lyon) for example, cannot compete against each other. . The first four in each group are qualified for the round of 16 and the fifth are transferred to the round of 16 of the Challenge Cup, the small European Cup.
“Our goal has always been to ensure that everyone can easily understand, get involved and follow our tournaments and to ensure that we have a structure that creates a real sporting challenge,” said the president of EPCR Dominic McKay.
Who will emerge from this tangled game and hold up the trophy on the evening of the final on May 24 in London? The French clubs have won the last three editions with La Rochelle (2023, 2022) and Stade Toulousain (2021) and will once again be favorites, especially as Racing 92, Toulon or Bordeaux-Bègles should also have their word to say.
“We have to stop saying that our heads are upside down,” thundered Cyril Baille, the Toulouse pillar faced with his team’s mixed start to the season in the Top 14. The European Cup is coming at the right time. We’re changing competitions, we’re going to have to change gear. This will give us new objectives. »
The first day of French clubs
Pool 1. Friday, 9 p.m.: Connacht (Irl.) – Bordeaux-Bègles. Saturday, 9 p.m.: Bristol (Eng.) – Lyon.
Pool 2. Saturday, 4:15 p.m.: Stade Toulouse – Cardiff (Wales). Sunday, 6:30 p.m.: Racing – Harlequins (Eng.)
Pool 3. Saturday, 2 p.m.: Toulon – Exeter (Eng.). 6:30 p.m.: Munster (Irl.) – Bayonne.
Pool 4. Sunday, 2 p.m.: Sale (Eng.) – Stade Français. 4:15 p.m.: La Rochelle – Leinster (Irl.)
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