At last, the WRU speak up about Friday night games

by LordDowlais Mon 22 Feb 2016, 9:34 am

First topic message reminder :

As it seems, Wales always get the crappy end of the stick when games are moved around to suit the TV companies, it's probably because we are a rugby mad country and the TV executives know that the Welsh fans will by hook or crook go and support Wales anywhere, anytime.

Wales have played 6 out of the 7 matches played on a Friday night in the 6N, and we have another one next year against Ireland, but after next year it looks as though the scheduling is up for discussion and Gareth Davies wants more countries to bear the load, not just us Welsh.

Welsh Rugby Union set to take tougher stance on staging Friday night Six Nations matches.

Wales have hosted six of the seven Six Nations matches on Friday night, but WRU boss Gareth Davies says it's time others shared the load

Wales playing Six Nations matches on a Friday night could become more of a rarity, with the Welsh Rugby Union set to harden its stance on the controversial time slot.
Warren Gatland’s side take on France at Principality Stadium on Friday (kick-off, 8.05pm), having hosted six of the seven matches played on a Friday thus far.
While there is evidence to suggest fans would rather a Friday night to a Sunday afternoon, Saturday remains the overwhelming preference.
WRU chairman Gareth Davies has said that after next year’s tournament, during which Wales are set for a Friday clash with Ireland, the union will look for other countries to host a larger share of games on that day.
“Everyone has to accept that the days of all matches being played on a Saturday afternoon are gone,” Davies told The Guardian.
“The television deal means matches on Fridays and Sundays are here to stay because the ratings are high.
“We have twice canvassed the opinion of our member clubs and they prefer Friday night matches to Sunday afternoon. We have France next Friday and we play Ireland at that time next year.
“After that, the television schedule will be up for discussion and our view is that everyone has to bear the load. More hands need to go up.”
Davies stressed that the priority for the WRU was to ensure supporters can get to and from Cardiff city centre safely and conveniently on Friday nights when matches are staged.
“We appreciate that Friday is the busiest commuter day of the week and there have been public transport issues after matches in Cardiff,” said Davies.
“We have worked hard with various authorities to resolve this and things went more smoothly during the World Cup when more trains were put on.
“The paying public is a priority for us and we put a huge amount of effort in to ensure people can get into and out of the city with a minimum of inconvenience.”
England and Ireland have cited commuter traffic problems as a reason for not staging Friday night matches, though England played at Twickenham at that time during the World Cup.
Italy and Scotland have voiced fears that attendances would drop if they were forced to play on Friday.
France have played one match in Paris in the slot – against Wales in 2009.

by LordDowlais Mon 22 Feb 2016, 3:44 pm

carpet baboon wrote:Are any of the other sixnations venues setup to deal with a Friday night game either?

Wales and Cardiff are not exactly set-up for these games, they are just thrust upon us, because apparently Roger the dodger agreed to them, and if that is the case then there MUST be £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££'s involved.

I am sure other cities could not do as bad as Cardiff does with Friday night games, I guess we will find out in time.

by carpet baboon Mon 22 Feb 2016, 3:47 pm

I didn't claim Wales were, I will inquired as to the other had any history in friday night events.
I do agree if they are staying they should be shared out.

by marty2086 Mon 22 Feb 2016, 3:56 pm

Its funny if something went wrong in Welsh rugby it was Roger Lewis' fault if it went right it was in spite of him, was he the only one showing up to board meetings?

by **RiscaGame** Mon 22 Feb 2016, 4:21 pm

Take it you're unfamiliar with the term yes man then?

by marty2086 Mon 22 Feb 2016, 4:33 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Take it you're unfamiliar with the term yes man then?

That's a lot of yes men Rolling Eyes

by Pot Hale Mon 22 Feb 2016, 8:24 pm

I would have thought that Lansdowne Road could handle a game on a Friday evening - hasn't there been soccer internationals on a Friday before?

It's fine for fans living in Dublin, but it's a half-day or more for a lot of other fans coming from outside Dublin.

Maybe the IRFU could offer to have all the Six Nations games in one weekend - that would be novel.
Irish and Welsh on a Friday, English and Scottish on a Saturday, and the completely hungover French v Italians on the Sunday.

Move it around the capitals each round.

by Guest Mon 22 Feb 2016, 9:35 pm

Pot, I actually quite like that. It could be like a festival of rugby in one city each 6N weekend. I'd travel abroad for a weekend or two for that.

However, with only 5 rounds someone would not get to host!

by **Notch** Mon 22 Feb 2016, 10:29 pm

Friday Night test rugby; because if you don't live in the capital of your country, you just don't matter!

It's not that the Friday night games should be shared out to take the burden off Wales, more that no-one should play test matches on Friday nights including the Welsh.

by GLove39 Tue 23 Feb 2016, 12:36 am

Notch wrote:Friday Night test rugby; because if you don't live in the capital of your country, you just don't matter!

It's not that the Friday night games should be shared out to take the burden off Wales, more that no-one should play test matches on Friday nights including the Welsh.

Couldn't agree more with this.

by bedfordwelsh Tue 23 Feb 2016, 5:19 am

Funny how the WRU are now speaking out when it was just sheer greed by the WRU that meant we had these games anyway.

by carpet baboon Tue 23 Feb 2016, 8:19 am

Pot. That is the greatest idea ever

by HammerofThunor Tue 23 Feb 2016, 10:39 am

GLove39 wrote:
Notch wrote:Friday Night test rugby; because if you don't live in the capital of your country, you just don't matter!

It's not that the Friday night games should be shared out to take the burden off Wales, more that no-one should play test matches on Friday nights including the Welsh.

Couldn't agree more with this.

In that case you had better hope that the 6 Nations board (or whoever), decides it's worth the lesser amount of money they would get. Given the comments from Feehan in the past I really REALLY don't see it happening.

by SecretFly Tue 23 Feb 2016, 1:11 pm

"We have twice canvassed the opinion of our member clubs and they prefer Friday night matches to Sunday afternoon"

So it's clear.... let's be 'avin' no more of these nuisance Friday gymes that wot the public don't like!!!!

Well said WRU!

Give the Fridays to us. I quite like Friday night games....Sunday games feel always a little bit of an anti-climax.... as if the organisers are stuffing in a game that they'd forgotten about on Saturday.... "Oh yeah, and them other two will play tomorrow when we is all off out with the family or playing golf."

by Fanster Tue 23 Feb 2016, 8:53 pm

Have t agree with secret...

Friday nights, although not ideal to home or away fans are 10 times better than Sunday games! I was at the Aviva for Ireland Wales and the stadium atmosphere was dire, I and my friends were hungover, as were a huge crowd of Welsh fans just behind us, the fireworks were not received well, and mostly by gasps and moans they were stupid load.

Not that this is a slight on the Aviva, it's a great little stadium, i'm willing to bet all stdiums are like this on a sunday.

It just feels like Friday night, although not ideal means your having to work hard to get to the party, and it's just getting started, whereas Sunday games is like getting to a party at 6am, everyones done, asleep, and prepping for the week ahead.

PS 6N festival in one city, what a shout!

by carpet baboon Tue 23 Feb 2016, 9:21 pm

In my fantasy one city each weekend host all 3 games every year one of the host nations foregoes there weekend and it's held in another European country.
Make it a proper European festival.

Wouldn't that be good

by Cyril Tue 23 Feb 2016, 9:43 pm

I like the games spread out. Ideal weekend for me would be:

Friday - Wales/Scotland (feisty opener to watch after work and see in the weekend)
Saturday - England/France (Le Crunch, with plenty of time to get settled before/after)
Sunday - Ireland/Italy (one to watch nursing a hangover before an early night)

by Guest Tue 23 Feb 2016, 10:13 pm

Fanster wrote:Have t agree with secret...

Friday nights, although not ideal to home or away fans are 10 times better than Sunday games! I was at the Aviva for Ireland Wales and the stadium atmosphere was dire, I and my friends were hungover, as were a huge crowd of Welsh fans just behind us, the fireworks were not received well, and mostly by gasps and moans they were stupid load.

Not that this is a slight on the Aviva, it's a great little stadium, i'm willing to bet all stdiums are like this on a sunday.

It just feels like Friday night, although not ideal means your having to work hard to get to the party, and it's just getting started, whereas Sunday games is like getting to a party at 6am, everyones done, asleep, and prepping for the week ahead.

PS 6N festival in one city, what a shout!

A lot of Irish fans say they prefer Sunday games though Erm

by bedfordwelsh Wed 24 Feb 2016, 5:19 am

Fanster wrote:Have t agree with secret...

Friday nights, although not ideal to home or away fans are 10 times better than Sunday games! I was at the Aviva for Ireland Wales and the stadium atmosphere was dire, I and my friends were hungover, as were a huge crowd of Welsh fans just behind us, the fireworks were not received well, and mostly by gasps and moans they were stupid load.

Not that this is a slight on the Aviva, it's a great little stadium, i'm willing to bet all stdiums are like this on a sunday.

It just feels like Friday night, although not ideal means your having to work hard to get to the party, and it's just getting started, whereas Sunday games is like getting to a party at 6am, everyones done, asleep, and prepping for the week ahead.

PS 6N festival in one city, what a shout!

I thought the Ireland game and atmosphere was great, bit subdued compared to a Saturday I agree but not as bad as Iwas expecting and certainly not as bad as it was up in Scotland some years back for a Sunday game.

by Fanster Wed 24 Feb 2016, 10:20 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:
Fanster wrote:Have t agree with secret...

Friday nights, although not ideal to home or away fans are 10 times better than Sunday games! I was at the Aviva for Ireland Wales and the stadium atmosphere was dire, I and my friends were hungover, as were a huge crowd of Welsh fans just behind us, the fireworks were not received well, and mostly by gasps and moans they were stupid load.

Not that this is a slight on the Aviva, it's a great little stadium, i'm willing to bet all stdiums are like this on a sunday.

It just feels like Friday night, although not ideal means your having to work hard to get to the party, and it's just getting started, whereas Sunday games is like getting to a party at 6am, everyones done, asleep, and prepping for the week ahead.

PS 6N festival in one city, what a shout!

I thought the Ireland game and atmosphere was great, bit subdued compared to a Saturday I agree but not as bad as Iwas expecting and certainly not as bad as it was up in Scotland some years back for a Sunday game.

Maybe my own hangover effected my mood, but there were definately large groups of chatters showing annoyance at the fireworks, the stiff breeze through the lower roof element, and some drunkards.

The stadium was still, not nervy just subdued, it was very dissapointing at the time.

However I have watched replays and the TV coverage did show a good atmosphere, plenty of noise etc, maybe that was played up, I definately wouldn't have ranked it in my top 10 of 6N experiences.

It was funny, come the last 2/3 minutes, it should have been heart in mouth time for both teams but it was just a fizzle waiting for the whistle. Granted the game wasn't the best specticle either.

by bedfordwelsh Wed 24 Feb 2016, 10:26 pm

Fanster wrote:
bedfordwelsh wrote:
Fanster wrote:Have t agree with secret...

Friday nights, although not ideal to home or away fans are 10 times better than Sunday games! I was at the Aviva for Ireland Wales and the stadium atmosphere was dire, I and my friends were hungover, as were a huge crowd of Welsh fans just behind us, the fireworks were not received well, and mostly by gasps and moans they were stupid load.

Not that this is a slight on the Aviva, it's a great little stadium, i'm willing to bet all stdiums are like this on a sunday.

It just feels like Friday night, although not ideal means your having to work hard to get to the party, and it's just getting started, whereas Sunday games is like getting to a party at 6am, everyones done, asleep, and prepping for the week ahead.

PS 6N festival in one city, what a shout!

I thought the Ireland game and atmosphere was great, bit subdued compared to a Saturday I agree but not as bad as Iwas expecting and certainly not as bad as it was up in Scotland some years back for a Sunday game.

Maybe my own hangover effected my mood, but there were definately large groups of chatters showing annoyance at the fireworks, the stiff breeze through the lower roof element, and some drunkards.

The stadium was still, not nervy just subdued, it was very dissapointing at the time.

However I have watched replays and the TV coverage did show a good atmosphere, plenty of noise etc, maybe that was played up, I definately wouldn't have ranked it in my top 10 of 6N experiences.

It was funny, come the last 2/3 minutes, it should have been heart in mouth time for both teams but it was just a fizzle waiting for the whistle. Granted the game wasn't the best specticle either.

Maybe the area of ground you were in lol. I was in amongst lot of Munster fans and it was quite entertaining in last minutes with each set of fans at one time or other just wishing our players would kick ball out settle for draw etc but when shoe was on other foot etc.

Admit they not a patch on Saturdays games or Fridays and I hate them but was lot better than expected after a Sunday game in Scotland.

by Fanster Wed 24 Feb 2016, 10:31 pm

Maybe Bedford.

I have had plenty of games in Dublin, both club and international, and the atmosphere has always been great, I put this down as a Sunday afternoon, few people drinking, plenty hungover, and a chilly afternoon.

by bedfordwelsh Wed 24 Feb 2016, 10:34 pm

Fanster wrote:Maybe Bedford.

I have had plenty of games in Dublin, both club and international, and the atmosphere has always been great, I put this down as a Sunday afternoon, few people drinking, plenty hungover, and a chilly afternoon.

Hell those 3 reasons alone would mean every game in Cardiff would be subdued lol. Must admit the bars were busy but not as busy as would happen on a Saturday.

by johnrgby Thu 25 Feb 2016, 6:31 pm

LondonTiger wrote:I thought previous boss Roger Lewis was one of those who had pushed for Friday night games?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the TV fees for a Friday game were considerably higher, if that is the casa, it is no wonder lewis pushed for them

by offload Fri 26 Feb 2016, 7:42 am

PenfroPete wrote:Friday night games are great …….IF you live in CARDIFF or are a visiting supporter and are staying over for a couple of nights

The first Wales v France game fell near my birthday, so I thought rather than

A) Run out of the stadium at the final whistle to get my last bus home (my village is not served by rail)
B) Get an expensive taxi
C) Impose myself on friends in Cardiff
I’d book myself & herself in to a hotel for the NIGHT. Couldn’t book online as a message came up ‘contact the hotel’, so I did. Normal tariff was £125, but they had a special 6 Nations price = £200. Just as I was recovering from that, the knife was twisted – “It is a minimum 2 night stay sir”

So I booked a taxi, which due to the horrendous traffic (Lack of late-ish night, 11:30, public transport infrastructure outside Cardiff) was 45 minutes late arriving at 00:15, we then took 1h 20 mins to get the 12 miles home. I would imagine it’s even worse for those down West or up North, having to take a day off to get to a HOME game !!

Friday night games ? You can shove ‘em up your *****

100% agree and have similar nightmare experience. I will never attend another Friday night match.

by Fanster Fri 26 Feb 2016, 8:53 am

If you feel like your imposing on friends...

Theyre not real friends!

I always stay with friends in Cardiff, sadly I can't make tonights game, but never had an issue with either dossing with friends, or getting a train east around midnight.

by aucklandlaurie Sat 27 Feb 2016, 2:50 am

offload wrote:
PenfroPete wrote:Friday night games are great …….IF you live in CARDIFF or are a visiting supporter and are staying over for a couple of nights

The first Wales v France game fell near my birthday, so I thought rather than

A) Run out of the stadium at the final whistle to get my last bus home (my village is not served by rail)
B) Get an expensive taxi
C) Impose myself on friends in Cardiff
I’d book myself & herself in to a hotel for the NIGHT. Couldn’t book online as a message came up ‘contact the hotel’, so I did. Normal tariff was £125, but they had a special 6 Nations price = £200. Just as I was recovering from that, the knife was twisted – “It is a minimum 2 night stay sir”

So I booked a taxi, which due to the horrendous traffic (Lack of late-ish night, 11:30, public transport infrastructure outside Cardiff) was 45 minutes late arriving at 00:15, we then took 1h 20 mins to get the 12 miles home. I would imagine it’s even worse for those down West or up North, having to take a day off to get to a HOME game !!

Friday night games ? You can shove ‘em up your *****

100% agree and have similar nightmare experience. I will never attend another Friday night match.

Are you guys for real, in 2011 we had the Opening ceremony and first game of the Rugby World cup on a Friday night it was spectacular.

by offload Sat 27 Feb 2016, 7:42 am

aucklandlaurie wrote:
offload wrote:
PenfroPete wrote:Friday night games are great …….IF you live in CARDIFF or are a visiting supporter and are staying over for a couple of nights

The first Wales v France game fell near my birthday, so I thought rather than

A) Run out of the stadium at the final whistle to get my last bus home (my village is not served by rail)
B) Get an expensive taxi
C) Impose myself on friends in Cardiff
I’d book myself & herself in to a hotel for the NIGHT. Couldn’t book online as a message came up ‘contact the hotel’, so I did. Normal tariff was £125, but they had a special 6 Nations price = £200. Just as I was recovering from that, the knife was twisted – “It is a minimum 2 night stay sir”

So I booked a taxi, which due to the horrendous traffic (Lack of late-ish night, 11:30, public transport infrastructure outside Cardiff) was 45 minutes late arriving at 00:15, we then took 1h 20 mins to get the 12 miles home. I would imagine it’s even worse for those down West or up North, having to take a day off to get to a HOME game !!

Friday night games ? You can shove ‘em up your *****

100% agree and have similar nightmare experience. I will never attend another Friday night match.

Are you guys for real, in 2011 we had the Opening ceremony and first game of the Rugby World cup on a Friday night it was spectacular.

I'm sure is was, but what has that got to do with ? Unless you have experienced the chaos of trying to get out of Cardiff on a Friday night following a test match I don't think your comment is relevant.

by Fanster Sat 27 Feb 2016, 1:28 pm

Do it regularly offload, unless your stupid enough to stand in a queue for an hour and a half with the hoards it's really not that much of an issue, hit up a br, grab a drink and leave a ttouch later on.

by offload Sat 27 Feb 2016, 2:40 pm

Fanster wrote:Do it regularly offload, unless your stupid enough to stand in a queue for an hour and a half with the hoards it's really not that much of an issue, hit up a br, grab a drink and leave a ttouch later on.

You've no idea where I live or how difficult it is for me to get home. As usual, a lack of knowledge doesn't prevent you having an opinion.

by Fanster Sat 27 Feb 2016, 3:22 pm

offload wrote:
Fanster wrote:Do it regularly offload, unless your stupid enough to stand in a queue for an hour and a half with the hoards it's really not that much of an issue, hit up a br, grab a drink and leave a ttouch later on.

You've no idea where I live or how difficult it is for me to get home. As usual, a lack of knowledge doesn't prevent you having an opinion.

Seems unduely harsh, I'm an idiot for not knowing where you live, and explaining getting out of Cardiff on a Friday night isn't the hellish nightmare you're describing?

Are you always this agressive and abusive, or are you just having a tough time finding your way home?

PS if getting to your own home is the issue, and not getting out of Cardiff on a Friday night why are you claiming the issue is with a Friday night fixture, and not local transport not going to your home etc?

by offload Sat 27 Feb 2016, 4:19 pm

Fanster wrote:
offload wrote:
Fanster wrote:Do it regularly offload, unless your stupid enough to stand in a queue for an hour and a half with the hoards it's really not that much of an issue, hit up a br, grab a drink and leave a ttouch later on.

You've no idea where I live or how difficult it is for me to get home. As usual, a lack of knowledge doesn't prevent you having an opinion.

Seems unduely harsh, I'm an idiot for not knowing where you live, and explaining getting out of Cardiff on a Friday night isn't the hellish nightmare you're describing?

Are you always this agressive and abusive, or are you just having a tough time finding your way home?

PS if getting to your own home is the issue, and not getting out of Cardiff on a Friday night why are you claiming the issue is with a Friday night fixture, and not local transport not going to your home etc?

Abusive?

I look forward to you next uniformed opinion - bet I don't have to wait too long. Your wisdom is all over the forum.

by Fanster Sat 27 Feb 2016, 4:58 pm

More abusive while mocking abuse accusation...

Do you always debate with insults?

by offload Sat 27 Feb 2016, 5:02 pm

Fanster wrote:More abusive while mocking abuse accusation...

Do you always debate with insults?

Your're a hoot. Look up "debate" and ask yourself if your having one. Laugh

by Fanster Sat 27 Feb 2016, 5:04 pm

offload wrote:
Fanster wrote:Do it regularly offload, unless your stupid enough to stand in a queue for an hour and a half with the hoards it's really not that much of an issue, hit up a br, grab a drink and leave a ttouch later on.

You've no idea where I live or how difficult it is for me to get home. As usual, a lack of knowledge doesn't prevent you having an opinion.

Up until here it was about whether or not Cardiff on a Friday was a good idea, then you decided to insult me for giving you a plan I use for ease of travel post game...

by offload Sat 27 Feb 2016, 5:13 pm

Fanster wrote:
offload wrote:
Fanster wrote:Do it regularly offload, unless your stupid enough to stand in a queue for an hour and a half with the hoards it's really not that much of an issue, hit up a br, grab a drink and leave a ttouch later on.

You've no idea where I live or how difficult it is for me to get home. As usual, a lack of knowledge doesn't prevent you having an opinion.

Up until here it was about whether or not Cardiff on a Friday was a good idea, then you decided to insult me for giving you a plan I use for ease of travel post game...

Ah....my mistake. Thanks awfully for the 'plan' to help with my travelling woes. Armed with this new insight I now look forward to the next Friday night match and my opportunity to put my education into action. Not sure what I'd do without you. Thanks again.
Laugh

by aucklandlaurie Sat 27 Feb 2016, 7:08 pm

offload wrote:
Fanster wrote:Do it regularly offload, unless your stupid enough to stand in a queue for an hour and a half with the hoards it's really not that much of an issue, hit up a br, grab a drink and leave a ttouch later on.

You've no idea where I live or how difficult it is for me to get home. As usual, a lack of knowledge doesn't prevent you having an opinion.

Ive got the answer, move the stadium closer to your house.

by offload Sat 27 Feb 2016, 8:04 pm

aucklandlaurie wrote:
offload wrote:
Fanster wrote:Do it regularly offload, unless your stupid enough to stand in a queue for an hour and a half with the hoards it's really not that much of an issue, hit up a br, grab a drink and leave a ttouch later on.

You've no idea where I live or how difficult it is for me to get home. As usual, a lack of knowledge doesn't prevent you having an opinion.

Ive got the answer, move the stadium closer to your house.

Thanks Laurie, at last a sensible suggestion. thumbsup

by aucklandlaurie Sun 28 Feb 2016, 6:45 am

Glad to be of assistance, next time you got a problem just give us a shout.

by bedfordwelsh Mon 29 Feb 2016, 6:09 am

Friday night games (this one was no exception) are a complete and utter nightmare unless as has been said previously you live in Cardiff.

by SecretFly Mon 29 Feb 2016, 3:13 pm

When they left the auld Millennium and went to that New Principality Stadium, why didn't someone forethink a bit about the issues the Millennium had and build that new one in a less dense trainstationy-with-no-trains-running area of Wales????

Think People!

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