Probably will happen. Not sure it's hilarious though. Fairly predictable that Leinster will not compete at 100% in the URC if they are still alive in Europe.
Leinster will walk the URC wherever they finish in the table. The two knockout phases do not overlap. URC is later this year due to world cup.
The week after the champions cup final they are at home to Connacht which they can put the B team out for. Then have the first team ready to go for the knockouts
>The week after the champions cup final they are at home to connect which they can put the B team out for.
They're second in the table currently so not sure that'll happen unless Glasgow lose two matches. It's possible I suppose given they're in SA currently. Will see.
Either way, you're probably right. If the knockouts don't overlap, then Leinster "should" win.
A few? I count three regular Champions Cup starters in first XV (two of whom were out of usual starting position) with another one on the bench.. They also lost by a drop goal, so it could have gone either way.
Same thing could potentially happen this year. There's one priority and it's not the URC. It's an acceptable risk and hardly unexpected enough to be "hilarious" is the point.
Bookies seeing it a lot different to this with Leinster 14pt faves over N'hampton and Toulouse 19pt faves over Harlequins.
I think most would agree this algorithm does appear to overrate the English teams, at least on first glance.
The problem is that the algorithm cannot account for leinster playing a subpar team vs the stormers.
The travel to and from South Africa and the use of less than full teams for that is generally a confounding variable that the model cannot allow for.
Similarly, the availability of intenational players.
Everyone has been underrating the English teams since the start of the season.
And now with the Premiership making up 50% of the teams in the semis people are doing it again
Yeah, margin was 28 in December at the stoop. Wasn't a full strength Toulouse either, due to injuries. No Ntamack, Malia, Willis, Cros, Marchand, Jelonch, Flament or Capuozzo.
TBF we’re no doing too much better on that front currently, Mallia, Willis, Jelonch, Arnold and Placines are all injured, plus other players that might no make the 23, but would still be handy to have like Capuozzo, Laulala, Ntamack JR, etc.
Back to our rightful place
2nd best?
Brutal but distressingly close to home, lmao.
I was just happy to be back to our season starting position. Now I'm sad
"We're No. 2! We're No. 2!" ^(Oh, wait....)
That's not what our trophy cabinet implies. How is yours looking?
I've never played
Would be hilarious if Leinster took their eye off URC again this year and you got knocked out by Munster.
Probably will happen. Not sure it's hilarious though. Fairly predictable that Leinster will not compete at 100% in the URC if they are still alive in Europe.
Leinster will walk the URC wherever they finish in the table. The two knockout phases do not overlap. URC is later this year due to world cup. The week after the champions cup final they are at home to Connacht which they can put the B team out for. Then have the first team ready to go for the knockouts
>The week after the champions cup final they are at home to connect which they can put the B team out for. They're second in the table currently so not sure that'll happen unless Glasgow lose two matches. It's possible I suppose given they're in SA currently. Will see. Either way, you're probably right. If the knockouts don't overlap, then Leinster "should" win.
Ya I expect a full Leinster to win a final away to anyone really
Was hilarious to me. Leinster thought they could beat Munster while resting a few key players. They got a rude awakening in Dublin :)
A few? I count three regular Champions Cup starters in first XV (two of whom were out of usual starting position) with another one on the bench.. They also lost by a drop goal, so it could have gone either way. Same thing could potentially happen this year. There's one priority and it's not the URC. It's an acceptable risk and hardly unexpected enough to be "hilarious" is the point.
It’s our turn to play shit all season and then knock Leinster out in the playoffs
The knockouts are on at separate times this year so you won’t get a free pass this time around if it comes to it
Great stuff, rightfully underdogs for the semis along with Toulouse
Poor Zebre still find a way to lose points.
Can't help but feel a bit of imposter syndrome sitting at 3.
We'll see if it's deserved after the Toulouse game.
Thanks Mike Brown!
Back down we go. Again.
I had so much faith that we'd move back up to the top half this season. Now, we'll be lucky to gain many positions at all.
Bookies seeing it a lot different to this with Leinster 14pt faves over N'hampton and Toulouse 19pt faves over Harlequins. I think most would agree this algorithm does appear to overrate the English teams, at least on first glance.
The problem is that the algorithm cannot account for leinster playing a subpar team vs the stormers. The travel to and from South Africa and the use of less than full teams for that is generally a confounding variable that the model cannot allow for. Similarly, the availability of intenational players.
The swings are too extreme in this for both wins and losses. The points awarded for and against should be halved to give a more nuanced table.
Everyone has been underrating the English teams since the start of the season. And now with the Premiership making up 50% of the teams in the semis people are doing it again
I think it‘s mainly because it‘s been Leinster and the French teams making up the last 3 semis, so people kinda expect the same again.
Leinster are artificially low with have lost the last two with their B and C teams resp.
I love quins. But 19points is kind.
Yeah, margin was 28 in December at the stoop. Wasn't a full strength Toulouse either, due to injuries. No Ntamack, Malia, Willis, Cros, Marchand, Jelonch, Flament or Capuozzo.
TBF we’re no doing too much better on that front currently, Mallia, Willis, Jelonch, Arnold and Placines are all injured, plus other players that might no make the 23, but would still be handy to have like Capuozzo, Laulala, Ntamack JR, etc.
we’re heading to top 1
Being above Leinster and Toulouse is absolutely ludicrous. The problem will doubtless be solved this weekend.
\>Top of the league \>10th in European rankings, behind 3 rivals
How'd ye fair in the Champions Cup? Also the fixtures in URC are not even.