Fixture announcement next week, but apparently they are only confirming kickoff times for rounds 1 and 2.
www.epcrugby.com/eng/news/28886.php
Presumably the opponents for each weekend will be known, but knowing the day of the weekend would be bloody useful too, as you can see from the flight info on the travel pages.
I can understand holding off on rounds 5 and 6, that was always the way, but if they don't announce 3 and 4, that will be a pain.

I updated with what I reckon is the best flight option for each of the possible fixture dates.
A good few are doable but some are fairly awkward.
I also added some ferry info for La Rochelle, if anyone is that way inclined. I've never been on a ferry to France in December but I suspect it might not be pretty.

connachtclan.com/match-travel/bayonne

connachtclan.com/match-travel/larochelle

I updated the pages on the Match Travel menu with as much info as I could dig up re scheduled flights for the three Challenge Cup destinations. If anyone finds anything else relevant, let me know.

In summary: Exeter is fairly straightforward.
For the others, October is fine as there are direct flights to Nantes and Biarritz, but a Sunday kickoff would throw a spanner in the works.
Dec/Jan isn't too bad for Bayonne if it's on Saturday, but it's the other way around for La Rochelle, where Saturday is really the worst day as the flights go Tue/Thur/Sat in the winter. Fri and Sun are OK (days off permitting) but Saturday would mean staying Thur-Tue or going another way.

We'll keep it updated if we know more, or if we find out anything re charters, etc.

Guys

Just had a look on the UltimateRugby web site, www.ultimaterugby.com/challenge-cup

They are showing the 1st round matches for the European Rugby Challenge Cup in our Pool as:

Thur 9th Exeter v Boyonne
Fri 10th Connacht v La Rochelle

Know these dates are different than those already up here but a home start against one of the French sides would be NICE :woohoo: :woohoo:

sea_point wrote:

Fourdogs wrote: Bayonne & La Rochelle <strong>hotel's booked</strong> for all possible weekend options (Oct, Dec & Jan). Thank the God's for Booking.Com and not having to pay until a day or two before travel.

Name and shame FD.

Best Western Le Grand Hotel, 21 RUE THIERS, 64100 Bayonne. Better quality than my usual flop house because Mrs FD will be with me for this one.

Hôtel Saint Nicolas,13 rue Sardinerie, 17000 La Rochelle. closest hotel to the General Humbert Pub. Our HQ for La Rochelle

Fourdogs wrote: Bayonne & La Rochelle hotel's booked for all possible weekend options (Oct, Dec & Jan). Thank the God's for Booking.Com and not having to pay until a day or two before travel.

Name and shame FD.

Bayonne & La Rochelle hotel's booked for all possible weekend options (Oct, Dec & Jan). Thank the God's for Booking.Com and not having to pay until a day or two before travel.

The IMF wrote: Exeter head coach Rob Baxter says he will use the European Challenge Cup to develop his squad.

I really hope Lam adopts a similar approach to europe next year, would love to see Carty marked out to start all of the european games for example.

One of the main reasons given for the demand in reorganizing european rugby was it would make the 2nd tier of the competition stronger but hard to see it as anything other than a reserve team tournament especially with the way it's viewed in France.

sorry but I have to disagree.

would rather see connacht make the semi or the final of the challange cup than get knocked out of the h cup at the group stage.

The more I find out about the new comps the more I realise that they were set up only to suit England's and Frances leagues.

I think it should depend on how the fixtures fall.
If we start with two wins, we should be setting a target to win the group. If we lose an easy game at the start, then we should be using the games to test our squad. I'd hate to see us in a good position, and throw it away.
The chance of a European Quarter Final, whether home or away should be targeted.

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter says he will use the European Challenge Cup to develop his squad.

I really hope Lam adopts a similar approach to europe next year, would love to see Carty marked out to start all of the european games for example.

One of the main reasons given for the demand in reorganizing european rugby was it would make the 2nd tier of the competition stronger but hard to see it as anything other than a reserve team tournament especially with the way it's viewed in France.

Looks like a good group to be in, with good chance for a few wins
Never been to any of the three places, can dream for a while...
What's the best weather schedule- Bayonne in December or January could be snow and/or rain, Exeter weather we'd be used to, La Rochelle bit more northerly that Bayonne- maybe a little gentler..

We also have more European experience than any of these teams. Would hope for a strong campaign.

Exeter is a great town, reminds me of Galway with a big university and full of stuff going on around that.

Plus the added incentive to go down to Torquay and see the Gulls battle relegation in which ever league they are in - Conference I think. The perfect weekend!

La Rochelle have come up from D2, so this will all be quite new to them; whilst Bayonne won 3 and lost three in last year's competition, although this doesn't tell the whole story as they beat Viadana home and away - Viadana being a (very) poor man's Zebre. They lost home and away to Wasps, and away to Grenoble. I'd hope to get three wins from four against the French opposition, the biggest challenge will be Exeter, who had a pretty good season last season (by their standards) and will be really tough to beat at Sandy Park. I've been to the ground there a few times and it's good craic, their fans are excellent. Plenty to be optimistic about - if we get a quality 8 and 10 in the coming months, there'll be even more to be optimistic about!

Droptheclaw wrote: Euromillions tonight - £95m would be a nice starter for the takeover there, Pinky.

The Green Trews, having seen action in Toulouse and London, may well ride again. God help us all.

Excellent, I need someone to draw the attention away from the Kilt

In relation to the draw itself, Exeter are a good side, really have established themselves as a hard to beat Premiership side now. They also won the Anglo Welsh Cup last season, tough place to go and win. If we pick up a win at home to them and a bonus point away I'll be happy.

We beat Bayonne home and away 4 or 5 years ago but they are a different proposition now. Really depends how seriously they take it. Likewise with La Rochelle. Doubt La Rochelle will be too bothered after the first game or two. Must say I'd have liked one of the whipping boys from Tier 4 to get 10 points. If we don't win the group it might be difficult to sneak into one of the best 3 2nd place finishes.

A lot depends on the fixture list. The French could become disinterested very early. Ideally a home game first to try and build some momentum.

Pool 2: Exeter, Bayonne, Connacht, La Rochelle

Anyway its something to look forward to. The draw for the new European Cup shows that at present this competition is much more like our level.