Decadence wrote:

pinky wrote: Overall the fixture list couldn't be much worse for travel.
I would have hoped to get one of the French games in October when it's easier to get to and there's a chance of some half decent weather.

Me too, I'd probably have gone to either French match, but looking very doubtful now. With several trips on the horizon next year, including a six nations match and hopefully some world cup games, I'll probably won't get to travel to see Connacht play abroad at all this year...

We should ask the Branch to see if you could travel with the kit.

pinky wrote: Overall the fixture list couldn't be much worse for travel.
I would have hoped to get one of the French games in October when it's easier to get to and there's a chance of some half decent weather.

Me too, I'd probably have gone to either French match, but looking very doubtful now. With several trips on the horizon next year, including a six nations match and hopefully some world cup games, I'll probably won't get to travel to see Connacht play abroad at all this year...

You might have thought that with less fixtures in the top tier, and two broadcasters, there would be more scope to show Challenge Cup fixtures on TV. Instead it's gone the opposite way. Only the Thursday night games are scheduled for broadcast.
They have 8 different timeslots now for the European Cup each weekend instead of 6.

In terms of progression I think the fixture list on paper is quite good. 2 of the first 3 at home. Exeter at home in the 5th game and if we are still in contention in the final round, La Rochelle will likely be out and aren't going to be too pushed.

Of course all that is on paper! :whistle:

Overall the fixture list couldn't be much worse for travel.
I would have hoped to get one of the French games in October when it's easier to get to and there's a chance of some half decent weather.

Not knowing the exact dates for December is a pain. I'm guessing it's probably safe enough that Bayonne game won't be on a Sunday, but you can't be sure.
La Rochelle's first home game is on a Friday night, which is encouraging as it's awkward as flip to get there for a Saturday game.

Biarritz are at home to Colomiers the same weekend we are in Bayonne.
We can go along and give Eddie a shout.

pinky wrote: Based on the fixture list, the much vaunted "Qualifying Competition" consists of two playoff games.

The EPRC is - literally - a one man outfit (bloke in Geneva office), with the 2 main competitions run by the not-fit-for-purpose ERC and the qualifying competition sub-contracted to someone else as well. It was hardly going to go any other way with the lead in this palaver being taken by a club that have dug a 60 million (sterling!) hole over the last 7 seasons.

If it's much cheaper to fly to Heathrow, then I'd suggest doing that - it's a 2 hour train journey from Paddington to Exeter St David's and buying two singles (on somewhere like qjump.com) will set you back £40 currently for the pair - it's a standard £38 from Bristol Airport to Exeter and takes 1hr 35mins.

Based on the fixture list, the much vaunted "Qualifying Competition" consists of two playoff games.

I created a new thread for this:
connachtclan.com/forum/5-flights-tickets...tober-25th-2014-1500

I tried to move the posts but didn't work for some reason. Will try again later. In meantime use the Exeter thread for Exeter stuff.

I booked the Flybe flight. €125.
Was Bristol a lot cheaper, but by the time I factored in cost of trains, etc., I didn't fancy it.
I will update the travel page when I get a second.

Flybe for Exeter. Pricey though.
Ryanair to Bristol an option.

one sniff at the words ''away games'' and your awake. €35 return dublin -bristol. friday 6,25, return 8.45pm sunday.
same flights we got swansea game. u booking?

18/10/2014 17:00 P2 Connacht Rugby v La Rochelle The Sportsground
25/10/2014 15:00 P2 Exeter Chiefs v Connacht Rugby Sandy Park
4/5/6/7 Dec Connacht Rugby v Bayonne The Sportsground
11/12/13/14 Dec Bayonne v Connacht Rugby Stade Jean-Dauger
15/16/17/18 Jan Connacht Rugby v Exeter Chiefs The Sportsground
22/23/24/25 Jan La Rochelle v Connacht Rugby Stade Marcel Deflandre

www.epcrugby.com/eng/european-rugby-chal...69&nocache=1&round=1

www.epcrugby.com/eng/news/28887.php

We won't really be able to book flights for December, except for anyone who is planning an extended stay.

From twitter:

2014/15 fixtures for European Rugby Challenge Cup will be announced on Thursday at 2.00pm #ERCC