Couldn't get any Ireland tickets in the #RWC2023 lottery (after many, many hours wasted trying) so gave up and picked up a pair for games in St Ettienne (Italy v Namibia and then Argentina v Samoa a couple of weeks later). Spent a couple of weeks in the region south of the City with the ever patient good lady, the (Haute Loire) which is beautiful, very traditional, lots of history and great food and wine as you'd expect. Managed through our hosts to get tickets for Australia vs Fiji as well (Bonus), also in St Ettienne which turned out to be very interesting indeed. Couple of day at the end in Lyon, whcih should be decent Craic in January with the Clan en Tour.

Anyway no sooner was I back from France than buddy in Dublin got in touch to see if I fancied a ticket for Ireland v Scotland, nearly tore his arm off. Being in UK is frustraing when big Ireland games are on, there's less community here now than 30 odd years ago when I arrived. But it has some advantages sometimes as a Connacht / Ireland fan (flights weren't cripplingly expensive), and I got to see our lads representing in style in #RWC2023..

Watching our epic quarter final loss to NZ though and seeing Bundee sitting on the floor in despair, I just get the feeling that this might be his last season for us. After a tour de force in France, TOP14 clubs have to come clamouring for him with massive paychecks. I thnk he'll play out the seaso with Ireland and retire internationally, and move on to France in the summer for a couple of years..

So the point of this post is really I suppose to say, lets be sure to give him lots of love this season, just in case it does turn out to be his last.
Show him what he has, does and will mean to the Clan wherever he ends up next season or thereafter...

Now on to the real business of URC & Champions Cup Rugby 2023/24

I'm over this weekend..... actually I'm here till October..... I'm sure I'll bump into you.

Anybody in France want to catch up, just let us know.

No ids needed. But very hot last weekend. Queues for a beer were crazy and best avoided altogether and it was a good idea to get to you seat early as they were taking a bit long to get people through security. Appart from that all good

Ytimwhy wrote: A few of us are heading out to support Finlay,Bundee,Mack and the rest of our hero’s in green. Starting in Nantes then Paris. I believe security is very tight any advice from Clan members already there on how early you need to be at the stadium, and whether ID is required. Also best watering holes etc.

Once el Presidente is back from Bordeaux, he should be able to shed light on it.
I see World Rugby have stated that they will improve on the issues caused in round 1.

We'll try to get onto our French Attache @St.Placide, he should be able to tell you of the lay of the land in Paris...

Have fun out there and look forward to see some more Connacht Jerseys (CC)

A few of us are heading out to support Finlay,Bundee,Mack and the rest of our hero’s in green. Starting in Nantes then Paris. I believe security is very tight any advice from Clan members already there on how early you need to be at the stadium, and whether ID is required. Also best watering holes etc.