Well the good news is ... we're guaranteed a "home" semi-final (back in our usual premium-level seats in Lansdowne). Our opponents would be one of Ulster/Munster, who are ranked above us, or Toulouse/Exeter, who are below, so it's Dublin either way. To get a home QF, we need Clermont to beat Leicester over the two legs. Simples.
I know people will be disappointed we won't get another trip to France for a while, but there's always Marseille.
Now where did I put that bottle of pastis? I was only halfway through it ...

Eugh.

Look - 2 BP from that isn't a bad return. We had our spot booked, would've been great to qualify higher up, but qualify we did. Other results and called off games be damned, we did it and did it off our own backs. Lot to be proud of there.

We continue to be a real attacking threat, some great tries and some great stretches of amazing defence in parts. I think looking back on it our scrum did very well given the changes that had to be made from the previous week - few penalties lost but really that wasn't the winning of losing of it from what I can see.

But that's two weeks in a row where a big gap has been overcome heading into the last 20 minutes. No individual fault, or team fault, as far as I can see - just lads that have given it all in the preceding sixty or seventy or not getting the bounce we would like from replacements.

Leinster home and away is not going to be an easy day - either home or away.

How I got back to my hotel is destined to remain one of life's enduring mysteries, but my phone didn't make it. I assume it made it's way back to the mid nineties, where it (and frankly I) truly belong. But keep an eye out for me near the stadium, especially if you happen to have my ticket.

EDIT: Stand down red alert. Phone located subsequent to brief disassembly of bed.

 
Connacht are already guarnteed a spot in...

Already posted elsewhere on the forum but....Good luck to everyone travelling!
Make sure you have surgical masks and your entry papers in order.
The stadium is easy to find: it's in the 16th district on metro lines 9 (stops Michel-Ange Molitor or Exelmans) and 10 (Porte d'Auteuil).
Stade Jean Bouin is about five minutes walk from each. Follow signs for PSG Parc des Princes (they share the same location and the PSG superstore is in the rugby stadium). The Viaduc bar is close to Molitor and worth a stop before the game.
There are lots of bars and restaurants in the neighbourhoood if you want to eat or drink after the game but it's not the liveliest part of the city.
Bon voyage!

Anyone on the Air France flight, 09:00 Saturday morning or landing in CDG about 11:50 (local) on Sat.
PM me.

Stade sent out an email this am to all members letting them know that the game is almost sold out so if you haven't bought a ticket yet please do so!

All falling into place now so should be a good weekend

This is all looking so well I'm starting to feel uneasy.

And apparently it's going ahead ...

twitter.com/MarcoDuzan/status/1479358836544880640 twitter.com/MarcoDuzan/status/1479358836544880640

Looks like the new rules will allow the Anglo/French games to proceed (depending on how you interpret them):

"Among other things, it is possible to travel between France and the UK (in both directions) for reasons linked to the pursuit of an economic activity requiring presence on site, which cannot be postponed (with proof from employer)."

uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-tra...nce-and-the-UK-28918

Booster certs allegedly being sent out tomorrow for those who've had them here anyway.

After several days of heated debate, French MPs earlier this morning approved a bill to turn the country's health pass into a vaccine pass. This means a vaccine pass, including a booster for those over 18, will be required to enter France from a date to be determined but likely to be later in January.

Note: as a general rule, the French government considers one bout of Covid as the equivalent to receiving one dose of vaccine.

pinky wrote: Now all we need is for France to relax it's entry rules for the UK so the rest of the games can proceed

Edit: and they just announced that they are relaxing the rules, though didn't say in what way, so we should know more soon ...

Was talking to some of the Cardiff fans (Blues Bros), they were on about coming up to Paris for the Connacht match after their match in Toulouse.
Ryanair just Canceled their flights to Toulouse so now they cannot go...

ShaneM wrote:

St Placide wrote: This is really good info so thanks for posting.

I have 2 questions if you or someone could answer:

1. I have not gotten the booster because I had Covid recently and I need to wait 3 months. How do I get around that issue in France?
It's no longer a problem - the law to introduce new vaccine pass measures on 15 Jan fell apart today following a heated debate in parliament. If you satisfy the covid requirements in Ireland, you're okay in France for now.

2. With a limit of 5000 at the game, what are the chances of getting tickets to the game?
The 5000 limit was reconfirmed by the minister this am (clubs lobbied to have it pro-rated to stadium size). Although tickets are available to purchase, I understand that season tickets will get priority. Let's see, the situation is fluid.

You can message me if you have any other questions.

As always, Merci Beaucoup to the Clans French Attache
Watching that closely as we got approx 12 tickets on Saturday through SF's ticketing site..no issues!!!

This sounds too good to be true. I just went onto their website and there are loads of tickets available. How could this be possible with a 5000 limit? Our French agent might help here! Do Stade have 5000 season ticket holders?

Now all we need is for France to relax it's entry rules for the UK so the rest of the games can proceed

Edit: and they just announced that they are relaxing the rules, though didn't say in what way, so we should know more soon ...

pinky wrote: Though it looks like we won't even need to do the tests now as they won't be required to re-enter Ireland.

Correct Pinky!! Some good news at last
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/passengers-will-no-longer-need-a-negative-covid-test-to-enter-the-country-41210723.html

Though it looks like we won't even need to do the tests now as they won't be required to re-enter Ireland.

pinky wrote: Correct me if I'm wrong but the minimum isolation period if you test positive is only five days so if it goes pear-shaped on Monday morning I just need to check back into the Ibis until Saturday, at which point I can get another antigen test and then go back to the Stade Jean Bouin for the Toulon game?

#WFP

Correct! France has eased some restrictions in recent days: A negative test on day five and you're good to go provided you have no symptoms at that point. Close contacts (fully vaccinated and boosted) can continue life as normal subject to a negative antigen test every second day (professionally administered antigen tests are available on every street). There are, however, easier ways to make it to the Toulon game!

Correct me if I'm wrong but the minimum isolation period if you test positive is only five days so if it goes pear-shaped on Monday morning I just need to check back into the Ibis until Saturday, at which point I can get another antigen test and then go back to the Stade Jean Bouin for the Toulon game?

#WFP

Shane
Have you any more of those beret's you got in Montpellier in case we need to blag our way in with those tickets we got?

St Placide wrote: This is really good info so thanks for posting.

I have 2 questions if you or someone could answer:

1. I have not gotten the booster because I had Covid recently and I need to wait 3 months. How do I get around that issue in France?
It's no longer a problem - the law to introduce new vaccine pass measures on 15 Jan fell apart today following a heated debate in parliament. If you satisfy the covid requirements in Ireland, you're okay in France for now.

2. With a limit of 5000 at the game, what are the chances of getting tickets to the game?
The 5000 limit was reconfirmed by the minister this am (clubs lobbied to have it pro-rated to stadium size). Although tickets are available to purchase, I understand that season tickets will get priority. Let's see, the situation is fluid.

You can message me if you have any other questions.

As always, Merci Beaucoup to the Clans French Attache
Watching that closely as we got approx 12 tickets on Saturday through SF's ticketing site..no issues!!!

This is really good info so thanks for posting.

I have 2 questions if you or someone could answer:

1. I have not gotten the booster because I had Covid recently and I need to wait 3 months. How do I get around that issue in France?
It's no longer a problem - the law to introduce new vaccine pass measures on 15 Jan fell apart today following a heated debate in parliament. If you satisfy the covid requirements in Ireland, you're okay in France for now.

2. With a limit of 5000 at the game, what are the chances of getting tickets to the game?
The 5000 limit was reconfirmed by the minister this am (clubs lobbied to have it pro-rated to stadium size). Although tickets are available to purchase, I understand that season tickets will get priority. Let's see, the situation is fluid.

You can message me if you have any other questions.

This is really good info so thanks for posting.

I have 2 questions if you or someone could answer:

1. I have not gotten the booster because I had Covid recently and I need to wait 3 months. How do I get around that issue in France?

2. With a limit of 5000 at the game, what are the chances of getting tickets to the game?

Pending any announcement in France tomorrow it's worth noting that restrictions in Paris are very light compared to Ireland but if you're travelling please remember:

A surgical facemask must be worn at all times in the stadium and all open spaces in Paris (cloth masks are not acceptable in France); upload the French covid app and have your Covid vaccination cert on the phone (you won't be allowed enter the stadium without it), all bars and restaurants will demand it and there are random police checks; there are plans to change the rules governing the vaccine pass from 15 Jan but these have been held up in Parliament.

Make sure your paperwork is complete before you reach the passport check in Paris, they will put you on the next plane if it's not in order (visit https://mobile.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travelhttps://mobile.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel ).

As Ireland is on the green list today, a negative test is not required to enter France (unfortunately, the French police often confuse Ireland with the UK and demand a negative PCR test but it's not necessary, at least at the moment).

For the return to Ireland, you need a negative antigen or PCR test result. Testing facilities are on almost every street in Paris so it's not a problem, simply join the queue and let them know you need it for travel, expect to pay around EUR 20 and receive the necessary documentation on your app in return. It's an efficent process and a great opportunity to practice your leaving cert French!