European Rugby Challenge Cup 2015-2016

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! ) 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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

You can fly direct from Edinburgh to Grenoble - winner!

Dammit...only from 12th December!

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)

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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 !!!!

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.

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?

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

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?

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

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