True, but someone had to have the joined up thinking to go for roughly the same time for all home games.

Siob wrote: Didn't you ever notice that all Ulster's home matches are on Friday evening? Whoever they've got making the TV scheduling deals is doing a good job, makes a routine of it.

It definitely helps that they effectively have their own TV channel. TG4 and the Scottish/Welsh channels have multiple teams to choose between but BBCNI only have to worry about Ulster, so the negotiations go something like "Friday nights again lads?","Yeah sound".
Only time they have to do a Saturday is when Sky have the rights. There's only one of those in the first half of the season.

pinky wrote:

menacethedenis wrote: Ulster away on a Friday again.... FOR FECK SAKE!!!!

For once this might actually kinda be a good thing, as the alternative would have been St Stephen's Day (when a lot of that weekend's fixtures are played). A good few people will be off the 23rd or taking a cheeky half-day so might be able to make it.
On the other hand, Christmas Eve traffic and/or public transport chaos getting home ...

Didn't you ever notice that all Ulster's home matches are on Friday evening? Whoever they've got making the TV scheduling deals is doing a good job, makes a routine of it.

Tickets shouldn't be a major hassle. There were plenty of them last year anyway. As long as we get in fairly early we should be grand.

biffo77 wrote: Do we have any contacts with the Ulster boys for tickets? I've never been to Ravenhill, and I missed out this year due to illness. Given closeness to Christmas, I plan on driving back ager the match, and not staying up in Belfast.

Now if it was Offaly you were driving back to, and not Cork, I'd probably seriously consider going with you!

Moy wrote: Anyone have any educated guesses about the availability of individual tickets this year? Do you think they'll be hard to come by because of much higher demand? Specifically, I'm going to be in town for Edinburgh and Ulster in rounds 5 and 6 and assume, at least, the Ulster match will be a complete sell out. Thoughts? Recommendations?

Do we have any contacts with the Ulster boys for tickets? I've never been to Ravenhill, and I missed out this year due to illness. Given closeness to Christmas, I plan on driving back ager the match, and not staying up in Belfast.

I'm planning boat for Llanelli , sh1te air connections from Cork, and I'm not going to Dublin to fly to South Wales or Bristol. Rail sail is about 90e return, I think, 45e one away, to Llanelli. Cork Bristol(BRS) seems to be about 95e return, so probably do that.

Any idea on accom for Llanelli, stay in Cardiff or Swansea maybe? We could see if Celtic Manor have a deal for the weekend in Newport.

Anyone have any educated guesses about the availability of individual tickets for home matches this year? Do you think they'll be hard to come by because of much higher demand? Specifically, I'm going to be in Galway for Edinburgh and Ulster in rounds 5 and 6 and assume, at least, the Ulster match will be a complete sell out. Thoughts? Recommendations?

International Duty

November Tests:
Leinster Away (just camp)
Dragons Away
Cardiff Home

6 Nations:
Cardiff Home
Dragons Home (just camp)
Treviso Away
Zebre Home (just camp)
Glasgow Away (some players rested as 6 Nations over)

Will try and do the boat for Llanelli as it's as close to Fishguard as to Cardiff. Will prob go DUB-BRS for the Dragons game alright.

Have flights (€71 Aer Lingues DUB-Cardiff) and Accommodation (€53 for Twin Room in Hotel Miramar) for Scarlets sorted. Train is about £30 open return from Cardiff airport to Llanelli

Have flights for Dragons (€64 Ryanair DUB-Bristol) but no accommodation as don't know if I'll stay Newport of Cardiff. £25 Open return bus from Bristol Airport to Newport/Cardiff

menacethedenis wrote: Ulster away on a Friday again.... FOR FECK SAKE!!!!

For once this might actually kinda be a good thing, as the alternative would have been St Stephen's Day (when a lot of that weekend's fixtures are played). A good few people will be off the 23rd or taking a cheeky half-day so might be able to make it.
On the other hand, Christmas Eve traffic and/or public transport chaos getting home ...

ConnachtCows wrote: I'm liking the look of the trip to Cardiff in February

And Newport in November seems like a good idea, just because it's the only way I'm going to see it.

pinky wrote: In a welcome change, they've confirmed the Easter fixtures already (instead of a few weeks before).
Connacht at home to Leinster on Good Friday (we get booze, right?).

The Sportsground is the only place in Galway allowed to serve alcohol on Good Fridays, so that will be guaranteed!! Either way, the hipflask will always be brought!!!

I'm liking the look of the trip to Cardiff in February

We play Edinburgh away in April. Given the obvious charms of the city, the special place it now holds in my nostalgic heart, and the chance to do a scouting trip ahead of the Champions' Cup final, it's tempting. If the move to Myreside in the New Year improves the atmosphere it could be a must-travel.