Ulster, Clermont book Euro rugby semis

I thought it was called the RaboDirect Pro12 Pot? ;)

Interesting how now you have shifted your disdain of RWC 2011 to the public transport system. I'm not sure if you realise byt last time I checked NZ has a population of 4.5 million and GB has a population of over 50 million so its not surprising that they have a larger and quicker transport infrastructure. What never ceases to amaze me when proven wrong and questioned on your at times extreme anti NZ sentiment you still loook at other places to pick. The Mayors of Sydney, London and Vancouver all come out in support of Len Brown and Auckland city at the time of the ONLY transport debacle opening night and all said their cities too would also have struggled with such huge influxes of people on opening night 200,000 plus into the downtown area not to mention the 30-40,000 heading to Eden Park all within a few hours. Yet somehow you miss this and you try and take your argument down another track. What do you propose NZ do KOG invest in public transport infrastructure that they simply could not afford nor do they have the population to warrant or sustain it. Sometimes I wonder if you actually think about what you criticise or do you simply criticise for the sake of criticising. London is doing everything and more than what you accussed kiwis of doing yet you don't offer the same scorn you try and turn the tables and shift the focus to transport. London is a fantastic city and will host a great games however they too are hiking prices to exhorbetent rates not to mention there is a massive accomodation shortage. Did you not read the article in its entirety ? They are facing the same issues that plagued NZ and all other countries and cities to have hosted major sporting events!

I think there's an argument for both structures and I think it works in all cases. Scotland, for example, can't support a 10-team league and the same probably goes for Ireland and Wales, particularly if they want to be competitive with French and English clubs. And because they aren't full-on in the Rabo, it makes them fresher for international matches. It also means, if they're only playing for four teams, they know each others combinations and games better. On the other hand, England wouldn't allow regionalisation - can you imagine Northampton and Leicster joining to create a Midlands' outfit!!? There would be outrage. Also, with the numbers of players, they need more teams to give the younger players game time. In fact, one negatiive I've been told with the Irish provinces, in particular, is that the lack of teams means that younger players don't get the opportunities they would do in England. Young players do seem to progress better in the Rabo though. For example, Sam Warburton was obviously a very good age-grade player, but has become a world class player in a very short period of time. And, despite England dominating at under-20 level in the 6N for the last few years, they have struggled to develop genuine world class talent IMO. Obviously, we have had the likes of Lawes, Youngs and Tuilagi come through and have performed generally well in Tests, but I wouldn't elevate them to dominant Test players just yet. Or perhaps I'm being too harsh?

Am not even sure most SR sides would get out of the pool stages. Lets face it, the era of SR complete dominance is over. NH sides have some of the best players (from SH) and best coaches. I now think some of their sides (Munster, Toulouse etc) are better than NH national teams. The fact that Toulouse, a side with 30 internationals, got knocked out also means that there are no 'weak teams' at HC level.

who are the strongest SR sides (besides the Stormers obviously). i would sure like to know because my tipping as been horrendous.

Yea agree about Exeter deserving to win. But i didnt want to inflame any Frenchmen. You see i am only recently off moderation, so i am trying to behave myself! I am starting to come to the opinion that i would rather build a national team from consistent teams who play hard rugby week in week out (premiership clubs) instead of teams who only build for certain games and then are errectic for the rest (Pro D12.)

"This HC is far from competetive. So many weak teams making it into the knockout rounds: contrast this to the super rugby we’ve seen this season. The strongest SR sides would eat Leinster/Clermon/Ulster alive." And I'll bet you haven't watched one game of the HC this season.

The league is called the Pro12, nick Celtic League is out of date since it's no longer a Celtic league. Go on, it can't be that hard.

I had to go out, so I didn't fully complete what I was going to write. So................ If you watch the Rabo league, they play at nowhere near the intensity than in the HEC. If you watched the Sarries-Quins game, it was played at a fast pace with an intensity the hosts couldn't reproduce against Clermont.

Disappointing that McCall has come out with the usual Saracens bleat. I think he picked the wrong side, and in terms of attack Sarries are awfully one-dimensional. It's unfortunate that Leicester had so many injuries during the group stages. I think they would have been a much better representative on the big stage. The Clermont side does have some massive names, but equally it also has some mediocre players too.

Surely the fact that 'weak' teams have made it so far suggest the competition is competitive?

"Though Exeter were valiant in defeat on Thursday night." I thought they were unlucky and should have won. "A team of apparent no names have shown what playing as a team can do. its not all bad for english club rugby." I just think, at the moment, the English club structure probably isn't conducive to being regularly competitive at Heineken level. Teams like Leinster and Munster pretty much hoover up all the Irish talent and have virtually international sides. Ulster have been superb, but the spine of their team is South African. The French have a similar structure to England, but effectively don't have a salary cap and have more money - they are meant to be capped at £8m, but Toulouse's budget was something like £18m. Credit to Edinburgh who have broken the mould with some apparent "lesser names." Having said that, Harlequins screwed it up against Connacht and would have been favourites against Edinburgh, Sarries need to develop an attacking game - you can't rely on just smothering a team as good as Clermont. Leicester's best form has come post-Christmas, Bath have been average all season and Gloucester are Gloucester - great sometimes, average others. The issue for Aviva teams is that they can't just turn it on for certain matches like Rabo teams can.

This HC is far from competetive. So many weak teams making it into the knockout rounds: contrast this to the super rugby we've seen this season. The strongest SR sides would eat Leinster/Clermon/Ulster alive.

It is interesting that the Six Nations form book has been turned on its head as far as the club competition goes. Some commentators were predicting as much, given that English and Welsh representation in the Heineken Cup was down to a team apiece. I don't think there was the same expectation that both countries would also disappear from the latter stages of the Amlin too. Most supporters usually see the success of their teams in club competitions as a pointer towards performance at Test level. However, here we see Ireland with two semi finalists and Scotland providing one of the others.

I just dont like the commercial name (rabobank) so will continue to call it the way i want, tx mate.

Celtic League is now RaboDirect Pro 12. The competition is based in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy. 4 Irish Teams: Ulster, Munster, Connacht, Leinster. 4 Welsh: Newport-Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, and Scarlets. 2 Scottish: Edinburgh and Glasgow. 2 Italian: Aironi and Benetton Treviso. Aironi got their license stripped this season and will be replaced by another Italian team to be named. Hope u got it

Celtic League is now RaboDirect Pro 12. The competition is based in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy. 4 Irish Teams: Ulster, Munster, Connacht, Leinster. 4 Welsh: Newport-Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, and Scarlets. 2 Scottish: Edinburgh and Glasgow. 2 Italian: Aironi and Benetton Treviso. Aironi got their license stripped this season and will be replaced by another Italian team to be named. Hope u got it

I assume you are referring to me Rugbbug? i was a big supporter of RWC 2011. If i wasnt then i wouldnt have traveleld to NZ on 3 seperate occassions. All i have ever done is criticise how hard it was to get accomodation in Wellington. that was a weak link of an otherwise fantasically run and supported tournament. As for London. The transport is fantastic. one could stay in one of the home counties and easily travel to London. that could not be done in NZ. you could not stay 1 hour away from a large city and rely on quick and reliable trains. you can do that in london.

Not sure where we can really post this link however being this is a european thread and one of the biggest antagonists and doomsayers re the NZ RWC hosting has already commented on this thread I deem this the most appropriate place to post this link. NZ was routinely lambasted at length by a select few posters here at the roar on their ability to accomodate the guests as well as the price hikes. Well low an behold they had nothing on what is happening in London and maybe its time a few of you ate a bit of that humble pie. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=10797895

Though Exeter were valiant in defeat on Thursday night. A team of apparent no names have shown what playing as a team can do. its not all bad for english club rugby.