"Last year we had three in the field but this season, with Ulster the faller in the interim, it will be Munster and Leinster carrying our Champions Cup hopes in Pools 2 and 3 respectively."
"Due to the time of year, coming out of the November Test schedule, form prediction for every team involved is at best sketchy. Maybe that is no bad thing, adding an element of unpredictability to the early club competition exchanges."
Last year three Irish provinces entered the Champions Cup, but Ulster failed to qualify this season. Munster and Leinster will represent Ireland in Pools 2 and 3 respectively. The competition arrives immediately after the November Test schedule, making accurate assessments of club form difficult. Predictions for every team are therefore sketchy and uncertain. That uncertainty increases the likelihood of unpredictable results in the early pool matches. Coaches may use opening fixtures to experiment with squads, which can further amplify variation in performances and outcomes during the initial rounds.
Read at Independent
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