I have not been keeping up properly. Does Saints winning the LV mean Top 6 into HC next season? (Saints are bound to finish in the Top 6.)

Thanks.

Doesn't the Amblin Trophy also get a place?

Not sure who's still in that one....

Yes so that now means top 5 now qualify.

England gets a minimum of 6 places, and Saints winning the AW pretty much guarantees that will be 1-6 in the GP. It can increase to 7 if a English team wins either the HEC or the Amlin. So, for instance if Wasps win the Amlin and finish 4th in the GP as they are now, then the top 7 in the league will all go into next year's Heineken. But if Falcons win the Amlin and finish 9th as they are now it will be the top 6 plus them.

What if English teams win both and get in top 6 do we then have 8 places?

Are you sure?

I thought it depends which country ENG or France does best in HC for the 7th place. If its France as seems likely, Eng will have 6 places, so if Wasps win Amlin and finish 7th or below, 6th place won't qualify.

I think HSBC is right.

Yes, HSBC is right.

England or France have 6 HC places the one who does best in the previous season's HEC gets a 7th spot whilst the other sticks with 6.

QLF is correct, Qulaification rules changed this season.

HEINEKEN CUP QUALIFICATION
Another significant boost for the tournament sees the winner of the European Challenge Cup, who will continue to qualify for the following season’s Heineken Cup, also earn an additional Heineken Cup spot for the country of the winner.

From the 2009/10 season both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup winners will qualify automatically for the following season’s Heineken Cup and will each earn an extra Heineken Cup spot for their countries – over and above their guaranteed allocations.

However, England and France, who have six automatic places, will only be allowed a maximum of seven teams, so if either country wins both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup the second additional spot will pass on to the club with the highest ERC European Ranking who has not already qualified from any of the other five nations.

The changes mean that the Italian / Celtic League 24th Place Play-Off is no longer required and the extra place earned by England this year, which was available to the most successful nation from England, France or Italy, is also no longer applicable.

Teams will continue to qualify through their domestic tournaments with each nation having the following number of automatic places:
England and France – 6 each
Wales and Ireland – 3 each
Scotland and Italy – 2 each

The 23rd and 24th Heineken Cup places will go to the nation(s) of the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup winners, with England and France capped on a maximum of seven teams each.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 22/03/2010 14:22 by akb1.

Thanks for that.

So, if I read this right, the top 6 in the GP are guaranteed HC places next season. Northampton are the only English team left in the HC this year and they are already in a guaranteed top 6 spot. (I know mathematically it isnt guaranteed, but it is to me!) If Wasps win the ECC (and finish in the top 6) then 7th place is also in. If Newcastle or Gloucester win and finish below 6th they qualify.

I hate to say this, but that means we want Wasps to win the EEC doesnt it? That way we can finish 7th and qualify for the HC.

Nurse!........................

"if either country wins both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup the second additional spot will pass on to the club with the highest ERC European Ranking who has not already qualified from any of the other five nations."

So if French or English teams win both cups the place is based on rankings and not actual performance in that season.

Seems pretty ridiculous to me

That is clear then, but I suppose we now have an outside chance, downside we might be relying on Wasps

Quote:

downside we might be relying on Wasps

I don't see that as a downside. If it meant us getting in the HEC I would support a Gerry Adams & Martin McGuinness Death Squad XV.

Quote:

HSBC
Are you sure?

I am now! Thanks akb1. I originally got it from Wikipedia, so I had my doubts . Finally found where ERC hid it on their website:

ERC linky

(It's under the GP table).

Quote:

Quinten Poulsen

Quote:

downside we might be relying on Wasps

I don't see that as a downside. If it meant us getting in the HEC I would support a Gerry Adams & Martin McGuinness Death Squad XV.

And you'd still see the Irish on PR claim they have no previous when it comes to citings!

I never said I was right, I said "I thought" not "I know".

Quote:

Harley Quin
Thanks for that.
So, if I read this right, the top 6 in the GP are guaranteed HC places next season. Northampton are the only English team left in the HC this year and they are already in a guaranteed top 6 spot. (I know mathematically it isnt guaranteed, but it is to me!) If Wasps win the ECC (and finish in the top 6) then 7th place is also in. If Newcastle or Gloucester win and finish below 6th they qualify.

I hate to say this, but that means we want Wasps to win the EEC doesnt it? That way we can finish 7th and qualify for the HC.

Nurse!........................

You assume of course that the Pest's will finish in the top six!!!

I did! Let's hope I'm wrong if it means we finish in the top 6 above them. The fixtures left to be played are fascinating. Pretty much every game, for every team has significance in one way or another at this juncture. Top 4, Top 6, relegation..... great stuff!

Our game at Bath is huge. Win that and top 6 becomes a real possibility.