TOULOUSE CAPTAIN ANTOINE Dupont said on Friday the format of the Champions Cup is difficult to understand as the six-time winners face a challenge to claim top spot in their pool.
Finishing first in their group would guarantee Dupont’s side advantageous home games in the knock-out stages until the semi-finals.
Toulouse need to beat two-time champions Leicester on Sunday in the final round of group matches and hope Bordeaux-Begles slip up against the Sharks a few hours earlier if they are to avoid having to travel in the quarter-finals.
“The pool matches of the Champions Cup are super important when you see the repercussions the standings can have on hosting or not knockout matches — even if you don’t really understand the way the teams are ranked,” France scrum-half Dupont said.
“It’s difficult to find the logic behind it.
“You have to get on with it and try and score as many points as possible in each match,” the Olympic gold medallist added.
Toulouse trail Bordeaux-Begles in Pool 1 by a point after failing to claim a bonus point at the Sharks last weekend following an arduous journey to Durban, South Africa.
On Sunday, Siya Kolisi’s Sharks head to Bordeaux-Begles looking for a rare South African away win in the Champions Cup.
“We find it hard to see things clearly in this competition and I don’t think we’re alone,” Dupont said.
“When the South African teams come to Europe, it’s hard not to see Bordeaux-Begles win with five points.
“If you follow the statistics, it’s not likely,” the 28-year-old added.
Toulouse returned home from South Africa on Monday, having spent two days travelling to Durban and back on six flights for one game of rugby.
They also went from almost 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) off the coast of the Indian Ocean to freezing conditions in the space of 24 hours.
“We’re not the first to do it but what does it bring?” Toulouse’s France full-back Thomas Ramos said.
“It’s the question I’m asking.
“People are thinking a lot about player welfare, but how are we looking after players with journeys like that?” he added.
Hopefully the trio make it! They are an integral part of our Six Nations squad. Keep it up lads!!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: lowe and Dan are part of the 6 nations squad but connors is nowhere near that squad. Hodnet, timoney, pendergast are all way ahead of him. Not to mention with conan going to 8 we have doris who can play 7 as can POM. Infact I’d rather see Scott penny get time for leinster than will.
@chris mcdonnell: I completely agree. I’d ate my own underpants if Connors is named tomorrow
@Niall Boyle: hopefully those pants are in better condition than the pair I wore on Sunday
@Niall Boyle: I’ll hold you to that
@chris mcdonnell: with the best will in the world POM cannot play 7 in the 6 Nations.
Hope they don’t rush Sheehan back this Saturday. 50 mins against the Stormers on the 25th of Jan and then into the 6 nations squad. Connors now needs to stay fit for the rest of the season if he wants to ever make an Ireland squad, at nearly 29 time is running out
Lowe is too slow. Osborne a better long term bet.
@conor carroll: Osbourne isn’t a wing, he can do the job but he’s a 12 or 15. Lowe being “slow” didn’t stop him being named in the world XV this year or being one of our best performing players.
@conor carroll: not on the wing he isnt,hes not a winger and it showed on sunday,great 12 and 15,lowe though offers far more on the left wing,breaks tackles,carries,big left boot and has vastly improved his defence,also always goes hunting for the ball and gets stuck in to mauls and excellent under the high ball,pace is not everything.
@conor carroll: Interesting statement. If you actually watched rugby you’d see that Lowe is probably quicker than Osborne in a foot race. Osborne has many, many strengths. Pace isn’t one of them.
@conor carroll: Nash is the pace merchant played all the 6 nations last year
Honestly, is Lowe still a starter for Leinster? I just really can’t see how you leave out Jamie Osborne even if he was rusty on the wing at the weekend, like his skill level for that try was ridiculous. He also has just a big left boot as Lowe.
@Eoin H: lowe is the left winger for both ireland and leinster.
@Eoin H: Osborne isn’t a winger and should only be playing there in a pinch. Lowe is also the better player generally right now
@Gary D: He definitely isn’t the better all round player generally, no way
@Eoin H: Well he has been a starter for the last 7.5 years. And he was a starter right up until his injury. Osborne is far far better utilised at 12 or 15. Let’s just play lads in their correct positions.
@Eoin H: I partially agree with you. Osbourne has an ability to hold on to passes that others would knock on and is too good to leave out of the team. Lowe is a try scoring machine as well though so not sure I’d leave him out either. I’d probably play Osbourne at 12 and leave Henshaw on the bench for impact