most places in France are doable via Paris and TGV at least. A trip to Russia would be great!

** Trying to get to Swansea for pro12 last year was more trouble than getting to LaRochelle in January. Cork->Stanstead-> la Rochelle with Ryanair, La Rochelle -> Paris (TGV, 30e First class :whistle: ) -> Cork with Aerlingus.

we'll find out 17th June where we'll be going, I guess it'll be August/September before we get which weekend we'll be playing?

If we come across Grenoble at some stage Dublin-Lyon would be the best option for flights over I think.

Worcester book their spot. Some drama. Looked to be in the driving seat then shipped 21 points during a sin-bin then two late tries to tie it up. Poor old Bristol can't buy a win. If Gloucester win on Sunday, Worcester will be in pot 3.

pinky wrote: There is also the consideration that the type of thing that might get you thrown out of a basement in Gloucester is precisely the type of thing that is likely to get you thrown into one in Sochi.

And when did a small matter like the possibility of getting chucked in jail ever stop you before.

There is also the consideration that the type of thing that might get you thrown out of a basement in Gloucester is precisely the type of thing that is likely to get you thrown into one in Sochi.

columoc wrote: Flights to Sochi are straightforward enough using Turkish through Istanbul - really issue is the visa process

Too right. Visa's cost €60 to €150 depending on when you apply and how. Own application 21 days in advance is cheapest way. Using a visa agency is less stress but obviously more expensive.
If it is the Russian team, I hope we get more notice than usual.

columoc wrote: Flights to Sochi are straightforward enough using Turkish through Istanbul - really issue is the visa process

Yes, I suspect if it happens, the best way to get there would probably be an organised trip where a Russian travel agent sorts all that out. That would probably work out pricey enough though.

Flights to Sochi are straightforward enough using Turkish through Istanbul - really issue is the visa process

Now that I've picked myself up off the floor after Sunday (literally it seems as the various bruises and scrapes about my person would attest) I may as well look ahead to next season's Challenge Cup in order to prevent myself going insane from acute "what if" syndrome (should not have watched those highlights on TG4 player).

Teams in:
Connacht, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dragons, Zebre
Sale, Harlequins, London Irish, Newcastle
Montpellier, La Rochelle, Brive, Grenoble, Castres, Pau, Agen
Enisei, Calvisano

Plus the losers of Gloucester v Bordeaux and the winners of Worcester v Bristol (both to be decided at Sixways over the next 5 days).
Still a lot of variables to be plugged into the seeding system but Connacht are definitely number 1 along with Sale and Bordeaux if they lose. If Gloucester lose, they'll be seeded 2 so would be the team to avoid.
Connacht would be guaranteed one of the bottom seeds (Castres, Pau, Agen, Enisei, Calvisano) plus one other French and one English.
Something like La Rochelle, Worcester, Calvisano would be winnable while still providing some interesting excursions.
Montpellier would be a nice trip but a decent chance of getting turned over twice so let's save them for the final. Quins best avoided too. Hopefully they will both end up in Pot 1 with us.
I notice the Ryanair flights to Nantes are on a much more convenient Fri/Sun/Mon schedule instead of Tue/Sat a la last season so that might be useful for La Rochelle. Carcassonne (Fri/Sun) covers Montpellier and Castres (maybe Agen). Calvisano is handy for Bergamo. Brive and Pau are tricky (try going via Canaries) and the less said about Sochi the better!