With two rounds of January pool games on hold and very few free weekends left in the year, what can the Champions Cup do now?
We take a look at where European rugby can go next, after the 2020/21 Champions Cup temporary ban was confirmed on Monday …
Just to the last 16?
The preferred plan of French teams, and with due consideration by the EPCR, is to effectively cancel the last two pool games for each club, and proceed directly to the 16-level. last on the first of two quarterfinals weekends allocated April 2/3/4.
Indeed, Lyon President Yann Robert – who is also a member of the EPCR steering committee – discussed possible options on board for French radio station RMC this week, if not the pool games hung on.
In this scenario, the top eight in both pools would go on with the club at the top of Pool A (Leinster) which is likely to face the eighth side in pool B (Gloucester). ), the second in pool A (Wasps) hosting seventh place in pool B (Exeter) Chiefs) and so on.
As a one-off measure, the semi-finals in this 2020/21 season were expected to be bipedal, so the first of those weekends was converted to 16 finally, and then the last four European Cup weekends could be played out as last 16 (April 2/3/4), quarter-finals (April 9/10 / 11), semi-finals (April 30 – May 1/2), finals (May 22 in Marseille).
If it is impossible to play the other two rounds of pool games in addition to a round of finals, taking the last 16 weekend is the fairest option at this stage.
It would seem that for some finals it would be very difficult, however, even if seeding in terms of home advantage would be strained, having been based on just two pool rounds.
At this stage it’s more likely to scrape the last two rounds of pool games and go straight into the last 16-stage.
If accepted, the following teams would face each other in the last 16:
Leinster vs Gloucester, Wasps vs Exeter, Bordeaux-Begles vs Bristol, La Rochelle vs Clermont Auvergne, Munster vs Scarlets, Toulouse vs Edinburgh, Racing 92 vs Toulon, Lyon vs Sale Sharks.
This structure would also see the top four clubs in Pool A and Pool B – currently Northampton, Ulster, Bath and Connacht – fall into the last 16 Challenge Cup – which was like are in place for the 2020/21 campaign.
Complete the pool levels and head straight to the semi-finals?
The other route being debated is to finish the other two rounds of pool games over the two weekends in April marked for the semi-finals (April 2/3 / 4 and 9/10/11) before advancing directly to the semi-finals.
In this scenario, each club will have completed all four of their pool games, but only the top two in each pool would progress.
What could happen in this situation, however, is that teams could win every game they play – attacking the Exeter Chiefs for example – but still be eliminated, and that could be the result of the Covid-19 riot (chiefs suffered extermination and a 28-0 loss to Toulouse as a result of a revolution in December).
It is likely that a number of clubs would have been left with difficulty if this were to be introduced.
Exeter leaders’ defenders – and others – would be left in a difficult situation if the EPCR progressed from the pools to the semi-finals.
While not a perfect solution, this structure would appear more incomplete than the last 16 suggestion. However, it would be a way to end the competition.
Quit completely?
The preferred option for anyone right now, but one that has been announced across social media, is to completely eliminate the 2020/21 Champions Cup.
“While respecting all further guidance from governments and local authorities, and prioritizing the health and welfare of the club’s players and staff, EPCR, in conjunction with the league shares and its unions, remain committed to trying to find a solution that will enable them to resume and complete the competitions as soon as possible, “the EPCR said as part of its Monday statement.
Following instructions from French authorities that the participation of TOP 14 clubs in the #HeinekenChampionsCup a serious threat to public health, EPCR has no choice but to announce that the 2020/21 competition has been temporarily postponed: https: //t.co/UlilOVV0TN
– Heineken Cup Champion (@ChampionsCup) January 11, 2021
All current plans are to find a solution to end the competition, most likely through one of the scenarios mentioned above, but as is true with everything in the world. -world right now, nothing is certain.
If the Covid-19 climate continues to deteriorate across Britain and Europe, one thinks that a ban on all elite sports would take effect. If this ends, it is expected to cancel the competition.
It is hoped that they will continue to play elite sports, while the vaccine is spread across all populations. But we’ll see.
The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup have been temporarily postponed amid the continuing effects of coronavirus, organizers of the European Professional Club (EPCR) Rugby tournament have announced.
– Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 11, 2021
The Six Nations is expected to begin on February 6, with a meeting between the French ministry of Interior, Health and Sport, as well as the office of the President, and the organizers of the competition expected to soon.
At the moment, it is understood that France expects the Six Nations to go ahead. If this happens, the Champions Cup will continue as well, but with very few free weekends in the calendar, something has to be given somewhere.