So good to be back with the fans at Twickenham
The Rugby Paper|May 23, 2021
At last, we had a meaningful weekend of rugby with two European Cup finals held back to back. Friday evening I watched the final of the European Challenge Cup, then yesterday we had the main show, the European Champions Cup, both held at Twickenham, the home of rugby.
JEFF PROBYN
So good to be back with the fans at Twickenham

I say meaningful because each of those finals had a purpose with the four teams competing for something tangible.

Although the Challenge Cup can be a bit of a waste of time until it reaches the final stages, simply because many teams choose to rest players and blood youngsters in the early rounds making results perhaps doubtful, but it’s still a fun competition.

However, when the clubs reach the final stages and there is a place in the elite Champions Cup next season to play for (depending on your club’s league position) winning the Cup could be the only way to qualify, making the final a must-win game.

The Champions Cup final is the ultimate club competition in Europe and includes teams from the two best club leagues in the world. Sadly for the Premiership, they were unable to make the final this season with La Rochelle and Toulouse making it an all-French finish.

With a crowd of up to 10,000 at Twickenham for each match and no travel from France without quarantine, it was Friday’s Challenge Cup that set up the weekend for Premiership fans by almost making it feel and sound like a Leicester home game with the Twickenham PA system roaring them on.

Leicester are currently sixth in the Premiership table, inside the qualifying positions for next season’s extended Champions Cup, while Montpellier are sitting at tenth in the Top 14 outside next season’s qualifying zone.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 23, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 23, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

THE RUGBY PAPER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Army leave it late to regain trophy
The Rugby Paper

Army leave it late to regain trophy

MOMENTS and minutes change matches in equal measure, and that is exactly what happened at Kingsholm as the British Army’s men regained the Inter Service Championship trophy.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 12, 2024
Blues hold on in battle at the top
The Rugby Paper

Blues hold on in battle at the top

BLUES held on with their backs to their try line as they edged past the Hurricanes 31-27 to leapfrog their Kiwi rivals and move top of the table.

time-read
3 dak  |
May 12, 2024
Harrison leads from front to seal it for Saracens
The Rugby Paper

Harrison leads from front to seal it for Saracens

SARACENS returned to Allianz PWR action with a bonus-point win at StoneX Stadium.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 12, 2024
Coventry denied by powerful Pirates
The Rugby Paper

Coventry denied by powerful Pirates

SHEER pack power delivered two classic late rolling maul tries as Pirates maintained their quest for a second place Championship finish.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 12, 2024
Davies the leading light in Welsh quartet
The Rugby Paper

Davies the leading light in Welsh quartet

FOUR international flyhalves took flight from Wales last year, understandably so given the alternative of staying put on contracts shredded by the rugby recession.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 12, 2024
Rugby's holy trinity prove the difference
The Rugby Paper

Rugby's holy trinity prove the difference

SINCE time immemorial, rugby has been cloaked in its own cliches: Prince Obolensky was always “dashing”; Colin Meads lived his life as an “unsmiling giant”; Martin Johnson was rarely anything other than “beetle-browed”; and Billy Vunipola, easier to stop with an elephant gun than he is with a Taser according to recent evidence from a late-night bar in Mallorca, will forever be known as “the man who shamed the shirt he wasn’t wearing”.

time-read
3 dak  |
May 12, 2024
Tbilisi win was key - Skivington
The Rugby Paper

Tbilisi win was key - Skivington

GEORGE Skivington has credited the European Challenge Cup win against Black Lion in Tbilisi as the moment Gloucester turned their season around.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 12, 2024
Scarlets pay price for lack of discipline
The Rugby Paper

Scarlets pay price for lack of discipline

ULSTER gave their URC play-off hopes a major boost as they capitalised on indiscipline from the hosts to secure maximum points in Llanelli.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 12, 2024
James at his best as Sale keep in the race
The Rugby Paper

James at his best as Sale keep in the race

SAM James might be departing for pastures new but Sale’s Mr Dependable produced a nigh on immaculate performance at full-back as they continue to battle for a play-off place.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 12, 2024
Russell masterclass has Bath in top gear
The Rugby Paper

Russell masterclass has Bath in top gear

FINN Russell scored eight points, pulled the strings for three of Bath’s tries and barely put a foot wrong in a classy display that will send shivers down the spine of their Premiership title rivals.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 12, 2024