Heineken Cup fixtures announcement

by Portnoy Thu 26 Jul 2012, 8:43 am

Today at about noon the ERC will announce the results of the horse-trading between sides that goes on behind the scenes to create the fixture list.

In pool two I'd like to see the back-to-back between Tigers and Toulouse with the second leg at WR. Ospreys at WR in the last game would be neat as well.

Announcements will be available at http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/heinekencup/index.php [ed] I expect.

by Mickado Thu 26 Jul 2012, 8:44 am

My prediction for the Leinster pool is Clermont away in R3, at home in R4. Chalk it down.

by red_stag Thu 26 Jul 2012, 9:07 am

Given the fact we don't know what continent Saracens v Munster will be on in I would expect that this will be the last fixture.

Portnoy I think there is more money in an Ospreys v Tigers back to back.

by Portnoy Thu 26 Jul 2012, 9:13 am

red_stag wrote:Given the fact we don't know what continent Saracens v Munster will be on in I would expect that this will be the last fixture.

Portnoy I think there is more money in an Ospreys v Tigers back to back.

The priority will be winning the pool Stag. The dosh is secondary. Anyhow, I can't foresee many spare seats at any WR for any game in the Heiney.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 26 Jul 2012, 9:22 am

With Tolouse and the Ospreys in the group that will be two WR sell outs guarenteed. Treviso may sell out depending on the tv situation and the weather (if it's snowing I guess there won't be any on the day sales). Even Treviso should get 20k. Dosh shouldn't be an issue.

Ospreys or Tolouse for the back to back games with Treviso at home as the last game. Let's put ourselves in the driving seat and take a 5 pointer on the last game to put other teams under pressure for once.

I'd imagine Sarries will be moving the games at the start of the season when they don't have a stadium more than they will for the ones once it is built. Once the stadium is built they'll want to be concentrating on building the image in that area and if they are moving games away from Barnett then it will only be as far as Wembley.

by beshocked Thu 26 Jul 2012, 9:42 am

You can get Sale to win their HC pool outright 9/1 which is pretty good.

First game at Barnet for Saracens is Exeter in February so as you say Sam Saracens will be looking to play games elsewhere.

VR is going to be used for about 5 games I think.

It's pretty much guaranteed Munster will be at a big venue - just where. Personally I would go with Wembley then Saracens and Munster could do the back to back.

Red stag that's very true actually. Who knows - Saracens might want to try out the Capetown experiment.

basically there's 5 potential locations - a stadium in USA, a stadium in South Africa, an English stadium (either VR,Twickenham or Wembley).

by Jenifer McLadyboy Thu 26 Jul 2012, 10:18 am

Mickado wrote:My prediction for the Leinster pool is Clermont away in R3, at home in R4. Chalk it down.

Worst kept secret in Rugby, and on a Sunday too.

The Dublin Lyon flights went up the other day for that weekend.

by Portnoy Thu 26 Jul 2012, 10:20 am

It would be greatly disrespectful (imo) for an English side to play abroad 'home' games.

But this season they don't seemingly have season tickets on offer to rock their fans' boat.

by beshocked Thu 26 Jul 2012, 10:38 am

Portnoy I know the concept of brand awareness is completely alien to you.

It spreads the word of rugby. Brings rugby to markets which are underdeveloped and untapped.

You don't have to worry. I doubt your club would have the cahones to try do something outside the box. You don't need to at the moment though.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 26 Jul 2012, 10:56 am

Tigers are an extremely traditional club so they are unlikely to try anything risk, they also have over 13 thousand season ticket holders that might well be mightily peeved if one of their HEC games was taken away.

As Sarries have no season ticket holders this season as they are between stadia then they might as well try some new things and try to tap the untapped markets. They might not get another chance to do so as the last time they suggested moving a game their season ticket holders forced them into a re-think.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:01 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:Tigers are an extremely traditional club so they are unlikely to try anything risk, they also have over 13 thousand season ticket holders that might well be mightily peeved if one of their HEC games was taken away.

As Sarries have no season ticket holders this season as they are between stadia then they might as well try some new things and try to tap the untapped markets. They might not get another chance to do so as the last time they suggested moving a game their season ticket holders forced them into a re-think.

Sam, I thought that the South African plans fell through when a local SA body couldn't reach agreement? I agree though, that this is one year when an 'overseas' fixture could be seen as a legitimate option in my eyes

by Portnoy Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:04 am

beshocked wrote:Portnoy I know the concept of brand awareness is completely alien to you.

It spreads the word of rugby. Brings rugby to markets which are underdeveloped and untapped.

You don't have to worry. I doubt your club would have the cahones to try do something outside the box. You don't need to at the moment though.

I know what brand awareness is 'shocked. It's apex is populated by untouchable multinational megaliths hell-bent on global domination of a market.

Maybe one day there will be a top RU league comprising:
CocaCola Paris
McDonalds Milan
Wal-Mart Sydney
Nissan New York
.
.
.
Saracens

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:08 am

Portnoy wrote:
beshocked wrote:Portnoy I know the concept of brand awareness is completely alien to you.

It spreads the word of rugby. Brings rugby to markets which are underdeveloped and untapped.

You don't have to worry. I doubt your club would have the cahones to try do something outside the box. You don't need to at the moment though.

I know what brand awareness is 'shocked. It's apex is populated by untouchable multinational megaliths hell-bent on global domination of a market.

Maybe one day there will be a top RU league comprising:
CocaCola Paris
McDonalds Milan
Wal-Mart Sydney
Nissan New York
.
.
.
Saracens

by beshocked Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:17 am

Exactly Sam.

True Tigers are very traditional. It works for them - if it ain't broke...

True Sam and ALAB100ofUS this is a good time to move a game abroad.

Portnoy because of course the likes of RBS and Barclays are untouchable.....

No company is untouchable IMO.

If you want to stay in the past that's fine with me. Your choice.

by Portnoy Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:29 am

beshocked wrote:Exactly Sam.

True Tigers are very traditional. It works for them - if it ain't broke...

True Sam and ALAB100ofUS this is a good time to move a game abroad.

Portnoy because of course the likes of RBS and Barclays are untouchable.....

No company is untouchable IMO.

If you want to stay in the past that's fine with me. Your choice.

Every statement and comment I make (just like everyone everywhere apart from Cardiff where Dr Who now lives) forms part of the past the moment I hit the <enter> key. Wink

by **Notch** Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:38 am

Saracens to play Racing Metro in Brussels on the 20th October;

http://www.saracens.com/news/view.php?Id=7093

by beshocked Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:43 am

Playing a home game against Racing Metro in Brussels? What the!?

Sounds odd but could be fun.

So much for home advantage though.

by yappysnap Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:44 am

Quins played a game abroad. Didn't seem to have any negative effect on us and I imagine the players enjoyed it.

More teams should give it a go in my opinion, it raises awareness with a whole new potential fan base and makes things interesting for the players. Win win.

A match in Boston would be immense.

by beshocked Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:46 am

Yappysnap that was a LV game though right?

It's not Win if Saracens lose the actual game.

A match in Boston would be immense if you can afford it or are in Boston already......

Hopefully Munster decide to sacrifice their home game to play Saracens in Boston and we'll play them at Wembley or Twickenham.

While we are it why don't we use Murrayfield as our home game against Edinburgh. They could then play us there twice.

by Portnoy Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:48 am

WTF do Sarries not have the decency to follow protocol?

You announce the local plans after the official release!

by beshocked Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:51 am

30 minutes before - shock horror! Oh my god! Naughty Sarries!

The media knew about the Allianz deal before the "official release

Portnoy you need to lighten up a little bit.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:51 am

Portnoy wrote:WTF do Sarries not have the decency to follow protocol?

You announce the local plans after the official release!

P, calm buddy zen

they won't be the only ones

by **Notch** Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:51 am

Full list of fixtures now out;

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/news/18512.php

ROUND 1

FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2012

Pool 2 Ospreys v Benetton Treviso, Liberty Stadium 20.00 Sky Sports
Pool 4 Ulster Rugby v Castres Olympique, Ravenhill 20.00 Sky Sports/Sport+

SATURDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2012

Pool 1 Edinburgh Rugby v Saracens, Murrayfield 13.35 Sky Sports
Pool 1 Racing Metro 92 v Munster Rugby, Stade de France 14.35 Canal+/Sky Sports
Pool 3 Zebre v Connacht Rugby, Stadio XXV Aprile (Parma) 14.35 Sky Italia
Pool 5 Leinster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs , RDS 15.40 Sky Sports/Canal+Sport
Pool 5 ASM Clermont Auvergne v Scarlets, Stade Marcel Michelin 16.40 FR2/Sky Sports
Pool 3 Harlequins v Biarritz Olympique, Twickenham Stoop 18.00 Sky Sports/Sport+

SUNDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2012

Pool 4 Northampton Saints v Glasgow Warriors, Franklin's Gardens 12.45 Sky Sports
Pool 6 Sale Sharks v Cardiff Blues, Salford City Stadium 12.45 Sky Sports
Pool 2 Toulouse v Leicester Tigers, Le Stadium 16.00 FR2/Sky Sports
Pool 6 Toulon v Montpellier, Stade Felix Mayol 21.00 Canal+/Sky Sports

ROUND 2

FRIDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2012

Pool 4 Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby, Scotstoun Stadium 20.00 Sky Sports
Pool 4 Castres Olympique v Northampton Saints, Stade Pierre Antoine 21.00 Canal+/Sky Sports

SATURDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2012

Pool 5 Scarlets v Leinster Rugby, Parc y Scarlets 13.35 Sky Sports
Pool 2 Benetton Treviso v Toulouse, Stadio Comunale di Monigo 14.35 Sky Italia/Canal+/Sky Sports
Pool 1 Saracens v Racing Metro 92, King Baudouin Stadium (Brussels) 16.40 FR2/Sky Sports
Pool 3 Connacht Rugby v Harlequins, The Sportsground 18.00 Sky Sports
Pool 5 Exeter Chiefs v ASM Clermont Auvergne, Sandy Park 18.00 Sky Sports/Sport+
Pool 3 Biarritz Olympique v Zebre, Parc des Sports Aguilera 19.00 Canal+

SUNDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2012

Pool 1 Munster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, Thomond Park 12.45 Sky Sports
Pool 6 Cardiff Blues v Toulon, Cardiff Arms Park 12.45 Sky Sports/Sport+
Pool 2 Leicester Tigers v Ospreys, Welford Road 15.00 Sky Sports
Pool 6 Montpellier v Sale Sharks, Stade Yves du Manoir 16.00 FR2/Sky Sports

ROUND 3

FRIDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2012

Pool 4 Glasgow Warriors v Castres Olympique, Scotstoun Stadium 19.35
Pool 3 Connacht Rugby v Biarritz Olympique, The Sportsground 20.00 Sky Sports/Canal+Sport
Pool 4 Northampton Saints v Ulster Rugby, Franklin's Gardens 20.00 Sky Sports

SATURDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2012

Pool 5 Scarlets v Exeter Chiefs, Parc y Scarlets 13.35 Sky Sports
Pool 2 Toulouse v Ospreys, Stade Ernest Wallon 14.35 Canal+/Sky Sports
Pool 3 Zebre v Harlequins, Stadio XXV Aprile 14.35 Sky Italia
Pool 2 Leicester Tigers v Benetton Treviso, Welford Road 15.40 Sky Sports
Pool 6 Sale Sharks v Toulon, Salford City Stadium 15.40 Sky Sports/FR2
Pool 1 Munster Rugby v Saracens, Thomond Park 18.00 Sky Sports
Pool 1 Racing Metro 92 v Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Yves du Manoir 19.00 Canal+/Sky Sports

SUNDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2012

Pool 6 Cardiff Blues v Montpellier, Cardiff Arms Park 12.45 Sky Sports/Sport+
Pool 5 ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster Rugby, St Marcel Michelin 16.00 FR2/Sky Sports

ROUND 4

FRIDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2012

Pool 1 Edinburgh Rugby v Racing Metro 92, Murrayfield 20.00 Sky Sports/Canal+Sport
Pool 3 Biarritz Olympique v Connacht Rugby, Parc des Sports Aguilera 21.00 Canal+/Sky Sports

SATURDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2012

Pool 2 Ospreys v Toulouse, Liberty Stadium 13.35 Sky Sports/Canal+
Pool 2 Benetton Treviso v Leicester Tigers, Stadio di Monigo 14.35 Sky Italia/Sky Sports
Pool 3 Harlequins v Zebre, Twickenham Stoop 15.00
Pool 5 Leinster Rugby v ASM Clermont Auvergne, Aviva Stadium 15.40 Sky Sports/FR2
Pool 5 Exeter Chiefs v Scarlets, Sandy Park 15.40 Sky Sports
Pool 4 Ulster Rugby v Northampton Saints, Ravenhill 18.00 Sky Sports
Pool 6 Montpellier v Cardiff Blues, Stade Yves du Manoir 19.00 Canal+/Sky Sports

SUNDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2012

Pool 4 Castres Olympique v Glasgow Warriors, Stade Pierre Antoine 13.45 Canal+/Sky Sports
Pool 1 Saracens v Munster Rugby, London venue (TBC) 15.00 Sky Sports
Pool 6 Toulon v Sale Sharks, Stade Felix Mayol 16.00 FR2/Sky Sports

by **Notch** Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:54 am

beshocked wrote: match in Boston would be immense if you can afford it or are in Boston already......

And thats why the idea is widely unpopular with rugby fans.

by beshocked Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:57 am

I am liking that fixture list.

Poor Edinburgh - very tough first two matches for them.

by J_D Thu 26 Jul 2012, 11:59 am

Blues opening 3 games to be played on a Sunday furious

by yappysnap Thu 26 Jul 2012, 12:13 pm

Boom, double header against Zebre 10 points in the bag and tv ratings doooown. Is that good or bad?

by yappysnap Thu 26 Jul 2012, 12:16 pm

Notch wrote:
beshocked wrote: match in Boston would be immense if you can afford it or are in Boston already......

And thats why the idea is widely unpopular with rugby fans.

Rugby fans in Eng/Ire. Potentially there are a lot in the USA who may be very happy to see the game coming to town.

And is it really the end of the world to miss one game? Most Sarries fans watch their team on tv anyways....

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 26 Jul 2012, 12:34 pm

Ain't sarries playing in Brussels too?

by **Notch** Thu 26 Jul 2012, 12:58 pm

yappysnap wrote:
Notch wrote:
beshocked wrote: match in Boston would be immense if you can afford it or are in Boston already......

And thats why the idea is widely unpopular with rugby fans.

Rugby fans in Eng/Ire. Potentially there are a lot in the USA who may be very happy to see the game coming to town.

And is it really the end of the world to miss one game? Most Sarries fans watch their team on tv anyways....

These are the days you live for as a rugby fan. The Heineken Cup. You might only get three home games in a season and they are the three biggest games. There are people in Ireland who buy season tickets just to be guaranteed tickets to the Heineken Cup games!

by whocares Thu 26 Jul 2012, 2:02 pm

Interesting bet from Racing to fill the Stade de France. Good for them its on the 1st game and against Munster so there will still be something to play for! wonder how many munstermen will travel to this game but its certainly easier for them to get there.

by yappysnap Thu 26 Jul 2012, 2:10 pm

Notch wrote:
yappysnap wrote:
Notch wrote:
beshocked wrote: match in Boston would be immense if you can afford it or are in Boston already......

And thats why the idea is widely unpopular with rugby fans.

Rugby fans in Eng/Ire. Potentially there are a lot in the USA who may be very happy to see the game coming to town.

And is it really the end of the world to miss one game? Most Sarries fans watch their team on tv anyways....

These are the days you live for as a rugby fan. The Heineken Cup. You might only get three home games in a season and they are the three biggest games. There are people in Ireland who buy season tickets just to be guaranteed tickets to the Heineken Cup games!

There'll always be next season though. Especially with the way the Rabo give out their places... Wink

Seriously though I get what you mean Notch it would be pretty Wee weeing annoying if done more then once or twice. But surely as a one off the pro's will outweigh the cons as long as the teams can fill the stadia.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 26 Jul 2012, 2:37 pm

Bit narked off the double header is against Treviso, was eying up the home game of the double header as part of my stag do but that isn't going to be much of a game to watch. First two games on a Sunday won't go down to well with most of the Tigers faithful (many believe it should be 3pm kos only), however, I play on Saturday afternoons so it works for me.

The Heineken Cup. You might only get three home games in a season and they are the three biggest games.

I love the HEC and all but I'd rather have a tickets for the home game against Saints than against any of the HEC teams. Local rivalry (particularly as it stands at the minute) is always a bit more on edge, especially as the French teams generall only turn up looking for an LBP.

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