Well what a year it has been!
This season’s top flight rugby leagues have been rather different this year with the Covid-19 Pandemic better known as the lurgy.
After the final game of round 13 on March the 8th, rugby and all other sporting activity were close to being halted.
The second half of the season got underway in a very intense manner with teams playing 2 games a week as well as European matches to get the season completed. Semi Finals due to be played on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October with the Final staged at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 24th October sadly behind closed doors.
For Rugby fans all over the world it was been fantastic watching multiple matches being played weekly with all teams showing the depth and talent of their squads and relying on youngsters to help give the old timers a break. Rugby was resumed in a fantastic way with bubble systems in place to keep players and officials safe.
With just this weekend’s Super Sunday to go we will know who will be through to the play off’s/semi’s. With Exeter having a stonking season and securing a place early on it is down to Bristol Bears, Wasps, Sale Sharks and Bath to fight for their place.
Bristol Bears v London Irish – Bristol should comfortably beat London Irish but who know what will happen on the day.
Wasps v Exeter Chiefs – This is a must win game for Wasps to secure their place in the semi finals as Exeter are already through.
Saracens v Bath – With the Sarries out of the fight for the play off’s it is up to Bath to beat a still very strong Saracens team who won’t be an easy walkover.
Sale v Worcester – Sale should beat Worcester but who knows what the Warriors will do on the day.
As for the European Heineken Champions Cup…
Saracens have blown their chances at silverware on Saturday 26th September when they narrowly missed out on a win against Racing 92. Andy Goode kicked 5 penalties with no tries scored by the English side. They lost out 19-15.
Exeter on top of their impressive 2020 Premiership campaign have managed to claim a place in the Finals of the Heineken Champions Cup facing Racing 92 on Saturday 17th October 2020. Will be one hell of a final, Exeter will need the strength and depth of the full squad to reach what could be their season.
With next seasons Premiership fixtures just been announced we have also had a change in structure of the European competitions. with a slightly different tier system. All to play for in a hopefully more normal 2021. The European campaign kicks off weekend 11th and 12th December with finals scheduled on the 21st and 22nd May both staged in Marseille.
Here are the clubs who have qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup to date, 8 clubs each from the Pro 14, Top 14 and Premiership:-
2020/21 HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
PRO14: Leinster Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby, Munster Rugby, Ulster Rugby, Scarlets, Glasgow Warriors, Connacht Rugby, Dragons
TOP 14: Bordeaux-Bègles, Lyon, Racing 92, RC Toulon, La Rochelle, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Toulouse, *Montpellier or Castres Olympique
Premiership : TBC
2020/21 CHALLENGE CUP (4 clubs from the Pro 14 and Premiership and 6 from the Top 14)
PRO14: Benetton Rugby, Cardiff Blues, Zebre Rugby Club, Ospreys
TOP 14: Bayonne, Castres Olympique, Brive, Pau, Agen, Stade Français Paris
Premiership: Newcastle Falcons (A further 3 clubs TBC at conclusion of current season)