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European Rugby Challenge Cup 2015-2016

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Cardiff Dave
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Post by RDW Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:15 pm

2015/16 Challenge Cup pools

Pool 1: Connacht Rugby, Brive, Newcastle Falcons, Eniset-STM
Pool 2: Sale Sharks, Newport Gwent Dragons, Castres Olympique, Pau
Pool 3: Montpellier, Harlequins, Cardiff Blues, Cammi Rugby Calvisano
Pool 4: La Rochelle, Gloucester Rugby, Zebre Rugby, Worcester Warriors
Pool 5: Edinburgh Rugby, London Irish, Grenoble, Agen

Thoughts?

The winner of this year's competition will get aumotatic entry into next year's Champions Cup (after this season the rules change again! Rolling Eyes ) so will be interesting to see whether that leads to greater competition in the tournament, especially from the French teams.  It might also give the competition a bit more credibility.

Group wise I hope Connacht and Newcastle fans enjoy their trip to central Russia, but group 2 looks the toughest with group 3 not far behind. Gloucester should have an easy march to the knock-out rounds.

As an Edinburgh fan our group is certainly winnable, but will be a tough one.   There are no easy teams in it and each team might see it as their only shot at Champions Cup qualification.

Anyone been to Agen or Grenoble before?

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Post by propdavid_london Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:26 pm

As a Quins fan I am looking forward to a trip to Montpellier or Calvisano.
Any Pro12 supporters know where the good places to stay are near Calvisano and where the good nightlife is?

Making the winner an automatic qualifier for the Champions cup is a big draw - I am hoping that Quins will target this competition highly and look to progress and rebuild from last season.

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Post by Cardiff Dave Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:32 pm

propdavid_london wrote:As a Quins fan I am looking forward to a trip to Montpellier or Calvisano.  
Any Pro12 supporters know where the good places to stay are near Calvisano and where the good nightlife is?  

Making the winner an automatic qualifier for the Champions cup is a big draw - I am hoping that Quins will target this competition highly and look to progress and rebuild from last season.  

Brescia.

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Post by RDW Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:34 pm

It will still be a dilemma for coaches decided how much emphasis to put on this.

The likes of 'quins, Montpellier, Gloucester, Edinburgh etc will no doubt be pushing hard for 6th place. Only one team can win this cup so it is a big risk pinning all your hopes on qualification for that.

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Post by propdavid_london Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:37 pm

I agree RDW, but Quins in the past have put a lot of emphasis on this competition. I hope that they do the same this season.

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Post by RDW Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:40 pm

You can fly direct from Edinburgh to Grenoble - winner!

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Post by RDW Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:43 pm

Dammit...only from 12th December!

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Post by propdavid_london Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:50 pm

Cheers Cardiff Dave, Brescia looks like a good shout - is there decent public transport or is it worth car rental in the area. (obviously with someone else being designated driver)

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Post by Irish Londoner Wed 17 Jun 2015, 3:56 pm

Irish at Edinburgh sounds good - father in law lives in the borders !

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Post by Cardiff Dave Wed 17 Jun 2015, 6:22 pm

propdavid_london wrote:Cheers Cardiff Dave, Brescia  looks like a good shout - is there decent public transport or is it worth car rental in the area.  (obviously with someone else being designated driver)

Got the train to Calvisano. Can't remember much after that, hic.

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Post by Geordie Thu 18 Jun 2015, 8:38 am

Brive (again)...now theres a surprise.

And a nice trip to Russia?? Lovely....


Last edited by GeordieFalcon on Thu 18 Jun 2015, 8:51 am; edited 1 time in total

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Post by RDW Thu 18 Jun 2015, 8:40 am

Joking aside, it is going to be a feckin nightmare for teams getting out to Russia - central Russia too, so I think an 11 hour flight with several changeovers.

Given European games are usually on Thursday / Fridays as well, and Newcastle and Connacht will have played the weekend before, it isn't going to be the nicest experience for them heading out there!

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Post by Geordie Thu 18 Jun 2015, 8:52 am

Where abouts is this club? I'd love to go to Russia but this might be a tough trip for a fan.

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Post by RDW Thu 18 Jun 2015, 8:54 am

Krasnoyarsk.....

South side of central Russie - in line with China!

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Enisey-stm,+Regbiynyy+Klub/@56.4679264,90.5554242,3z/data=!4m5!1m2!2m1!1srugby+near+Krasnoyarsk,+Krasnoyarsk+Krai,+Russia!3m1!1s0x5cd7ae2fbd3f7c7d:0x5cc9aace784bcd14


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Post by Geordie Thu 18 Jun 2015, 9:11 am

HHmmm that's a canny wee trek mind. Wow...

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Post by RDW Thu 18 Jun 2015, 9:16 am

And let's face it, if you're going to make a once in a lifetime trip to Russia, Krasnoyarsk won't be the top of people's lists as a place to visit!

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Post by LondonTiger Thu 18 Jun 2015, 9:19 am

I thought they had agreed to play their matches somewhere more accessible?

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Post by Geordie Thu 18 Jun 2015, 9:26 am

They're playing in Sochi

BA flights c. £300 return to Sochi from Toon. Connect at Heathrow and Moscow switching on to S7 flight. Long 24 hour journey out, but only 11 hours coming back.

Im in !!!!

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Post by Geordie Thu 18 Jun 2015, 9:29 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:And let's face it, if you're going to make a once in a lifetime trip to Russia, Krasnoyarsk won't be the top of people's lists as a place to visit!

Absolutely....

I always fancied the Trans Siberian...now that would be a journey.

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Post by RDW Thu 18 Jun 2015, 9:29 am

Shame for the Russian club - manage to qualify for Europe but have to play their games 5000km away!

Will many Sochi locals be interested in rugby?

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Post by LondonTiger Thu 18 Jun 2015, 9:57 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Shame for the Russian club - manage to qualify for Europe but have to play their games 5000km away!

Will many Sochi locals be interested in rugby?

Probably not. Playing at home was never feasible though. From the end of October to the middle of March air temperature never gets above Zero.

https://weatherspark.com/averages/33837/Krasnoyarsk-Krasnoyarsk-Krai-Russian-Federation

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Post by Geordie Thu 18 Jun 2015, 10:11 am

LondonTiger wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Shame for the Russian club - manage to qualify for Europe but have to play their games 5000km away!

Will many Sochi locals be interested in rugby?

Probably not. Playing at home was never feasible though. From the end of October to the middle of March air temperature never gets above Zero.

https://weatherspark.com/averages/33837/Krasnoyarsk-Krasnoyarsk-Krai-Russian-Federation

And how is that different from Newcastle?

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Post by LondonTiger Thu 18 Jun 2015, 10:18 am

Pfft, not eve Geordie tarts go out half dressed in -27 degrees Very Happy

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Post by HammerofThunor Thu 18 Jun 2015, 1:21 pm

I was going to say I feel sorry for the Siberians having to go to Newcastle.

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