Remaining fixtures:
Germany v Georgia
Gibraltar v Scotland
Poland v Ireland
THE PICTURE IN Group D is much clearer following last night’s results.
One point now separates the top three sides while Scotland can no longer qualify.
Despite losing, Germany need just a point against Georgia to confirm their automatic qualification, while three points would guarantee them first spot.
Consequently, the second-place automatic qualifying spot is likely to be between Poland and Ireland, who meet in the final group game on Sunday.
Poland’s late equaliser against Scotland means they are in pole position (no pun intended) to take second spot in the group.
A win or a low-scoring draw would be good enough for the Poles to progress at Ireland’s expense.
With head-to-head coming into play and Ireland drawing the home encounter 1-1, it’s effectively an away goals-type scenario. So if Ireland get a high-scoring draw in Warsaw (e.g. 2-2 or higher), they will qualify automatically.
Of course, Ireland could also qualify with a low-scoring draw in the unthinkable scenario of Georgia winning in Germany. It’s highly unlikely, but after tonight’s action, anything seems possible.
Put this in another article, but prob more suited here. Franco Smith of Glasgow won URC coach of the year. Friend would have been my pick. Remember when I first said that some said it should be Leo with only one loss in league, not sure if they feel the same way anymore. For Glasgow run to Challange cup final was good, but its URC Coach of the season so that competition doesn’t count in the reckoning. In URC Smith made playoffs and lost at home to Munster in Quarterfinal. For me Friend took Connacht with less resources than Glasgow and a more difficult fixture list, to the playoffs. Connacht were not expected to make playoffs, and made it and HCup, and won an away playoff meaning the went better than Glasgow. Connacht really overachieved this season, Glasgow did about as expected.
@Kingshu: agree 100%
@Kingshu: Would have Friend ahead of him also. Can make an argument for Rowntree also; first season, awful start, Munster playing a better style of rugby, took down 2 long running home winning streaks and are in the final.
Bit pointless to be comparing to last season when there were still some restrictions om attendances in some of the countries.
@0UWMNglt: seems like a nonsense stat alright
I hope the 5000 munster fans get to bring the league home. ( so it won’t have far to travel next season when win it back)
The Welsh clubs are so far behind. Have they ever reached 12,000 at any game? What has to be looked at is attendances at Welsh games. If the show grounds in Galway were enlarged there would be better crowds there.
Would like to see a breakdown per union home games – Ireland, Wales, Italy, South Africa, Scotland etc. You’d have to assume the Welsh regions would have quite a low average attendance. In addition, the SA home games I have seen appear to have very low attendances. Would love to see the non knockout games in SA have greater spectatorship in the stadiums. I remember watching Super rugby back in the early 00s, the fan base in South Africa was off the charts. Bulls, Sharks, Stormers ans The Cats all hvd hihe crowds at games. Was also lucky enough to get to a few fakes down in SA in 10/11 at Newlands. Full house everytime. Place was electric. May take a few years for the SA home base to commit to the URC.
@Steve Mccarthy: apologies for typos. Thumbs like big toes
@Steve Mccarthy: on wiki, its has each clubs average URC attendance.
There was 41,000 for judgement 2023 in the mileneum. Not to shabby. Double header. Lots or rugby fans in Wales, a good portion don’t follow the weslsh regions
@Paul Cassidy: South Africa could say the same. Huge rugby following there, just a lot follow more locally than the URC it would seem. I get it, it’s a huge country, imagine getting flights to follow your “home” team.