as for the TV coverage I read somewhere that the TV Deal will only be covering 19 matches from the Challenge cup, not sure where Sky\BT fits into this but I would say we'll be lucky to get even highlights of any of our games this year. More reason to travel away to a couple of the games

ConnachtCows wrote:

pinky wrote:

clanman wrote:

rossie wrote: Times and dates for rds 3 and 4 being announced at 2pm on eprc website.

being announced on Monday according to the Connacht Rugby facebook page

The big one today and Challenge Cup Monday is what I'm picking up.

How stupid is that. They get to have two press days, but the fans have to wait before they book any flights

They actually announced Rounds 3 and 4 for the main comp at 10.48 , but then only published the fixture list for Round 4 but not Round 3.
So don't be surprised if the Challenge Cup fixtures pop up over the weekend.
EDIT: OK, round 3 is there now, obviously they read the forum and sorted it out

pinky wrote:

clanman wrote:

rossie wrote: Times and dates for rds 3 and 4 being announced at 2pm on eprc website.

being announced on Monday according to the Connacht Rugby facebook page

The big one today and Challenge Cup Monday is what I'm picking up.

How stupid is that. They get to have two press days, but the fans have to wait before they book any flights

clanman wrote:

rossie wrote: Times and dates for rds 3 and 4 being announced at 2pm on eprc website.

being announced on Monday according to the Connacht Rugby facebook page

The big one today and Challenge Cup Monday is what I'm picking up.

rossie wrote: Times and dates for rds 3 and 4 being announced at 2pm on eprc website.

being announced on Monday according to the Connacht Rugby facebook page

Times and dates for rds 3 and 4 being announced at 2pm on eprc website.

ummm, wrote: Most of the France 4 CC cup matches I've seen have featured an away English team. The French do so love to show one of theirs beating the auld enemy

As it happens, I'm going to Gloucester v Brive Challenge Cup game next Thursday night in Kingsholm - switched for SKY TV.

Bit late to the party but Jay was there so Connacht could represent the Pro 12 teams not in the ERCC. It was in the official email

ummm, wrote: Most of the France 4 CC cup matches I've seen have featured an away English team. The French do so love to show one of theirs beating the auld enemy

Good point, they will want the French team to be at home, and since Paris and Bayonne are home the same weekend, we might be spared the Thursday.

Most of the France 4 CC cup matches I've seen have featured an away English team. The French do so love to show one of theirs beating the auld enemy

St Placide wrote:

pinky wrote: Just noticed that the French TV deal includes one Challenge Cup game each weekend on French terrestrial TV.
If they were picking one from week 3/4, one of the Connacht v Bayonne games could well make the grade.
If so, the upside would be there would be coverage available, the downside would be probably an awkward kickoff time.

For the past four seasons, European Challenge Cup games have been shown live on France 4 on a THURSDAY NIGHT, to avoid a clash with other TV rights holders. It's mostly a Paris SF fixture but also other fallen giants such as Biarritz.

Best avoid having to travel for a Thurs night game..

Of the games those weekends, there are 2 all-French clashes but neither seem that mouthwatering (Bordeaux/Lyon and Brive/Oyonnax).
Newcastle/Paris would be an obvious choice so it could be between Connacht/Bayonne and Exeter/La Rochelle for the other weekend.
The Conquerors of Toulouse visiting the Jean Dauger could be the more marketable choice.
Would make a nice Thursday evening in the Dail but a head-wrecker of an away trip.

pinky wrote: Just noticed that the French TV deal includes one Challenge Cup game each weekend on French terrestrial TV.
If they were picking one from week 3/4, one of the Connacht v Bayonne games could well make the grade.
If so, the upside would be there would be coverage available, the downside would be probably an awkward kickoff time.

For the past four seasons, European Challenge Cup games have been shown live on France 4 on a THURSDAY NIGHT, to avoid a clash with other TV rights holders. It's mostly a Paris SF fixture but also other fallen giants such as Biarritz.

Best avoid having to travel for a Thurs night game..

Just noticed that the French TV deal includes one Challenge Cup game each weekend on French terrestrial TV.
If they were picking one from week 3/4, one of the Connacht v Bayonne games could well make the grade.
If so, the upside would be there would be coverage available, the downside would be probably an awkward kickoff time.

RonanL wrote: I saw a picture on twitter with Jason sat down with a few other players looking fairly glum alright. Although I'd say the players feel a bit stupid at those things in general, hanging around in full kit.

Aye here pic of him on his own..

..poor lad

Obviously everyone in the competition are too scared to play us.

Ah well sure if no-one else wants the cup we may as well take it home with us.

Alternatively if they could give us a few extra points on the starting table for turning up today to give us a better chance at a home quarter final we'd also accept that as acceptable payment for the time and cost incurred today.

wp_rathead wrote:

ummm, wrote: Poor JHW musta felt tad awkward on his own ha

I saw a picture on twitter with Jason sat down with a few other players looking fairly glum alright. Although I'd say the players feel a bit stupid at those things in general, hanging around in full kit.