WRU says Wales will not host Friday night games for two years

by LordDowlais Wed 15 Mar 2017, 10:12 am

First topic message reminder :

Oh well, it's about time, other unions can now take the burden. I do think it's unfair that we have had to put up with this for the last 8 years. I am also glad that the WRU are finally listening to the Welsh public. Time for somebody else to have a go. Trouble is, I bet the return fixtures will involve us like it did when we played France in Paris on a Friday night. Rolling Eyes

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39274041

by Guest Wed 15 Mar 2017, 12:35 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:Fans love them or they wouldn't turn up.

Best thing to happen to the 6 nations in years

Fine. So do not worry when it's Englands turn to host a Friday night game, for 8 years on the trot.

Bring it on, we've all got to move with the times and grow our game to a wider audience.

'The Rugby Football Union has confirmed it will not be staging Friday night England matches at Twickenham.

'The RFU will continue to resist pressure from Six Nations Ltd to follow in the footsteps of Wales by hosting games at a slot that is popular with broadcasters.

"You keep pushing the door and eventually the door will open. Would I like more Fridays? Yes. Will I get them? Probably, in time, but it will take time," Six Nations Ltd chief executive John Feehan told The Times.

'Twickenham staged a Friday night match during the 2015 World Cup -- England's tournament opener against Fiji -- but the RFU views the global showpiece as a one-off event.

"Our position hasn't changed. We don't generally support Friday night matches at Twickenham for a variety of reasons, not least the challenges our fans have getting to and from the match," an RFU spokesperson said.'

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/18870904/rugby-football-union-rules-staging-friday-night-england-matches-twickenham

by TightHEAD Wed 15 Mar 2017, 12:35 pm

A perfect fit would be for Italy to host Friday night games as they might catch teams cold.

by Gooseberry Wed 15 Mar 2017, 12:38 pm

TightHEAD wrote:So I'm no longer allowed an opinion just incase someone thinks its wumming, what ever that is?

Probably because youve acted like such a graceless and aggressive arse over the last week.

Just a thought.

by propdavid_london Wed 15 Mar 2017, 12:44 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:Fans love them or they wouldn't turn up.

Best thing to happen to the 6 nations in years

Fine. So do not worry when it's Englands turn to host a Friday night game, for 8 years on the trot.

Bring it on, we've all got to move with the times and grow our game to a wider audience.

'The Rugby Football Union has confirmed it will not be staging Friday night England matches at Twickenham.

'The RFU will continue to resist pressure from Six Nations Ltd to follow in the footsteps of Wales by hosting games at a slot that is popular with broadcasters.

"You keep pushing the door and eventually the door will open. Would I like more Fridays? Yes. Will I get them? Probably, in time, but it will take time," Six Nations Ltd chief executive John Feehan told The Times.

'Twickenham staged a Friday night match during the 2015 World Cup -- England's tournament opener against Fiji -- but the RFU views the global showpiece as a one-off event.

"Our position hasn't changed. We don't generally support Friday night matches at Twickenham for a variety of reasons, not least the challenges our fans have getting to and from the match," an RFU spokesperson said.'

http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/18870904/rugby-football-union-rules-staging-friday-night-england-matches-twickenham

I am sure the residents of Twickenham and Richmond would cause merry hell for the RFU if their Friday nights are disturbed.

by TightHEAD Wed 15 Mar 2017, 12:50 pm

propdavid_london wrote:
I am sure the residents of Twickenham and Richmond would cause merry hell for the RFU if their Friday nights are disturbed.

They wouldn't even notice.

by dummy_half Wed 15 Mar 2017, 1:26 pm

TightHEAD wrote:
propdavid_london wrote:
I am sure the residents of Twickenham and Richmond would cause merry hell for the RFU if their Friday nights are disturbed.

They wouldn't even notice.

Have you ever been to Twickenham on a match day (or at all)?

by TightHEAD Wed 15 Mar 2017, 1:50 pm

I live there.

by Gooseberry Wed 15 Mar 2017, 2:15 pm

I find it odd that you're so out of touch with the constant issues between the council and the RFU over use of Twickenham and the number of complaints it generates then. That said Friday night usage would alleviate some of the problems it causes to local shopping.

by TightHEAD Wed 15 Mar 2017, 2:38 pm

Gooseberry wrote:I find it odd that you're so out of touch with the constant issues between the council and the RFU over use of Twickenham and the number of complaints it generates then. That said Friday night usage would alleviate some of the problems it causes to local shopping.

Why choose to live here if you don't like rugby! - most of these people are odd anyway so I shouldn't worry too much about them

by SecretFly Wed 15 Mar 2017, 3:01 pm

Friday nights? Hmmm, yeah, we'll take a few. Millennium was always full, wasn't it? Always lively, always a great atmosphere. Night time 'Here's Friday!' fun. Strange then that allegedly nobody seemed to want them.

Sunday is just like a last minute memory that another game has to be played. Saturday is the main day and Friday is an appetiser. Sunday - I'd prefer doing other things. I'd skip looking at a Sunday game (regardless of who is playing) much more than I'd skip a Friday one.

by dummy_half Wed 15 Mar 2017, 3:14 pm

Secret

As a serious question, how practical would matches at the Aviva be on Fridays? My recollection of Dublin traffic in general is that it's not great at the best of times, and that the stadium is not the most accessible (probably better than Twickers but worse than Cardiff)?

Pretty sure from going past the ground that the surrounding area is mainly residential other than the side that backs onto the river.

by SecretFly Wed 15 Mar 2017, 3:31 pm

Where there is a will, there is a way, dummy. My notion would be that Friday is a busy night anyway. Lansdowne isn't that far away from the hustle and bustle and pubs and nightclubs in what is a relatively small city. If match goers congregated mostly close to the stadium during the day then what is that? - a relatively short walk to the Stadium One Friday night during the 6N period? I don't think that would be much to ask of the community there. I can't see what the problem would be other than people/residents perhaps generating problems because some of them like having problems and being compensated for them.

So I'm just saying I wouldn't mind Ireland at least trying it - giving it a go for a year or two. I think atmosphere benefits when thinking Friday v Sunday.

by BamBam Wed 15 Mar 2017, 3:34 pm

Given South West Trains usual weekday performance levels, I'm not remotely surprised that the RFU politely said do one

by LordDowlais Wed 15 Mar 2017, 3:48 pm

This is the trouble for me. Not so much the game, I love a Friday night game. It's just the infrastructure problems. As an away fan who would stay at a hotel within walking distance, I do not know what it is like in other cities, but Cardiff on a Friday night, after an international game is a friggin nightmare. There are more people from outside of Cardiff who make the pilgrimage en mass to the capital city on international day than there are people from Cardiff who go. You are lucky to get a train home, because the station is grid locked and the gates get closed, the bus station is the same, and even if you are driving home you can add about 2-3 hrs on a 40min journey.

Saying that, Saturday night after a 5 o'clocker is no picnic either, you have almost the same problems then as well. But getting out of the stadium at 7-8pm to get a train or bus gives you a much better chance than leaving the stadium at 10pm and hoping to get on that last train or bus home at 11pm. Shocked

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 15 Mar 2017, 3:49 pm

SecretFly wrote:Friday nights? Hmmm, yeah, we'll take a few. Millennium was always full, wasn't it? Always lively, always a great atmosphere.

I heard there was a horrible atmosphere at the Wales v England game a couple of seasons ago. Fighting in the stands, pints thrown at the press area, the lot.

I blame Roger Lewis, and DJ Spoony.

by dummy_half Wed 15 Mar 2017, 4:01 pm

Secret

Thanks for the response. I'd actually forgotten some things I used to know regarding getting from central Dublin to Lansdowne Road (i.e. that it's a feasible walking distance, with occasional interruptions for refreshment). As such, and given the amount of accommodation around Dublin for visiting supporters, it probably is viable for the occasional match.

I still think Twickenham has some unique problems with regard to Friday evening matches, in the main relating to being on the edge (pretty much) of London, and not being particularly well served by public transport or by accommodation within a sensible walking distance. Perhaps the solution would be for the RFU to schedule a game somewhere other than London, at a site where access problems would be reduced?

by Gooseberry Wed 15 Mar 2017, 5:06 pm

By s he during a game elsewhere they'd be denying 200000 fans a seat ...so I guess that would reduce traffic issues.

What it wouldn't do is get them the same gate receipts and cost them to host it. Even Wembley would do little to change the London centric issues and still carries the financial hit.

I can only assume it's a joke to suggest it?

(Not withstanding when they played elsewhere due to the redevelopment)

by SecretFly Wed 15 Mar 2017, 5:12 pm

200000 fans? Twickers is bigger than I thought!

by GunsGermsV2 Wed 15 Mar 2017, 5:28 pm

LordDowlais wrote:Oh well, it's about time, other unions can now take the burden. I do think it's unfair that we have had to put up with this for the last 8 years. I am also glad that the WRU are finally listening to the Welsh public. Time for somebody else to have a go. Trouble is, I bet the return fixtures will involve us like it did when we played France in Paris on a Friday night.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39274041

Not sure why Wales fans dont like the Friday games. There only really put the away travelling fans out IMO. If you live in Cardiff anyway shouldnt be a big deal to get to the game after work.

For me Friday games are better than Sunday games anyway and I wouldnt mind if Ireland started to do them.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 15 Mar 2017, 5:32 pm

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Oh well, it's about time, other unions can now take the burden. I do think it's unfair that we have had to put up with this for the last 8 years. I am also glad that the WRU are finally listening to the Welsh public. Time for somebody else to have a go. Trouble is, I bet the return fixtures will involve us like it did when we played France in Paris on a Friday night.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39274041

Not sure why Wales fans dont like the Friday games. There only really put the away travelling fans out IMO. If you live in Cardiff anyway shouldnt be a big deal to get to the game after work.

Every Welshman (and Welshwoman) who lives outside Cardiff is a travelling fan. Most of us don't live in Cardiff.

by GunsGermsV2 Wed 15 Mar 2017, 5:34 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Oh well, it's about time, other unions can now take the burden. I do think it's unfair that we have had to put up with this for the last 8 years. I am also glad that the WRU are finally listening to the Welsh public. Time for somebody else to have a go. Trouble is, I bet the return fixtures will involve us like it did when we played France in Paris on a Friday night.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39274041

Not sure why Wales fans dont like the Friday games. There only really put the away travelling fans out IMO. If you live in Cardiff anyway shouldnt be a big deal to get to the game after work.

Every Welshman (and Welshwoman) who lives outside Cardiff is a travelling fan. Most of us don't live in Cardiff.

Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 15 Mar 2017, 5:47 pm

The thing is, a Friday night game inconveniences everyone who commutes either to or from Cardiff for work. Whether they like rugby or not, they're going to be affected by it. That's before you count the home fans that are obliged to take time off work and book a hotel room for the night.

by Pot Hale Wed 15 Mar 2017, 7:10 pm

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Oh well, it's about time, other unions can now take the burden. I do think it's unfair that we have had to put up with this for the last 8 years. I am also glad that the WRU are finally listening to the Welsh public. Time for somebody else to have a go. Trouble is, I bet the return fixtures will involve us like it did when we played France in Paris on a Friday night.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39274041

Not sure why Wales fans dont like the Friday games. There only really put the away travelling fans out IMO. If you live in Cardiff anyway shouldnt be a big deal to get to the game after work.

Every Welshman (and Welshwoman) who lives outside Cardiff is a travelling fan. Most of us don't live in Cardiff.

Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

The Aran Islands is a tiny place. Wales bigger and far away. (Channel your inner Dougal).

by dummy_half Wed 15 Mar 2017, 7:15 pm

Gooseberry wrote:By s he during a game elsewhere they'd be denying 200000 fans a seat ...so I guess that would reduce traffic issues.

What it wouldn't do is get them the same gate receipts and cost them to host it. Even Wembley would do little to change the London centric issues and still carries the financial hit.

I can only assume it's a joke to suggest it?

(Not withstanding when they played elsewhere due to the redevelopment)

Have to admit it wasn't an entirely serious suggestion Wink

. Wembley would be a better option in London because there are more choices of transport links and they've simply had more practice at dealing with crowds leaving evening games, plus the surrounding area (at least to the various transport routes) has no residential bits. Chances of the RFU using it instead of Twickers...well, I expect the Devil to be complaining of frost bite first.

by dummy_half Wed 15 Mar 2017, 7:20 pm

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

Never tried getting from Llandudno to Cardiff then... Wink

by LordDowlais Thu 16 Mar 2017, 8:12 am

GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make. Rolling Eyes

by TightHEAD Thu 16 Mar 2017, 8:18 am

I thought Wales was the size of a Goldfish bowl!

by LordDowlais Thu 16 Mar 2017, 8:19 am

TightHEAD wrote:I thought Wales was the size of a Goldfish bowl!

And there's another one. This forum has gone down hill at a rate of knots.

by TightHEAD Thu 16 Mar 2017, 8:23 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
SecretFly wrote:Friday nights? Hmmm, yeah, we'll take a few. Millennium was always full, wasn't it? Always lively, always a great atmosphere.

I heard there was a horrible atmosphere at the Wales v England game a couple of seasons ago. Fighting in the stands, pints thrown at the press area, the lot.

I blame Roger Lewis, and DJ Spoony.

I saw it happen and still suffer with flashbacks, from what I could tell a home fan Wales

spilt a pint of Brains over an English gents rose

Barbour jacket and prawn sandwich so they challenged them to a duel.

by TightHEAD Thu 16 Mar 2017, 8:23 am

LordDowlais wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:I thought Wales was the size of a Goldfish bowl!

And there's another one. This forum has gone down hill at a rate of knots.

Time to move on then and go back to Wales online!

by GunsGermsV2 Thu 16 Mar 2017, 9:18 am

LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make.

Next you will be trying to convince us that St Patrick was from Wales.

by LordDowlais Thu 16 Mar 2017, 9:51 am

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make.

Next you will be trying to convince us that St Patrick was from Wales.

Why ?

by Scottrf Thu 16 Mar 2017, 9:52 am

LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make.

Next you will be trying to convince us that St Patrick was from Wales.

Why ?

Because he was.

by LordDowlais Thu 16 Mar 2017, 9:55 am

But what has that go to do with 10,000 people all descending on on train station inbetween 10pm and 11pm on a Friday night ?

by BamBam Thu 16 Mar 2017, 9:58 am

Gooseberry wrote:By s he during a game elsewhere they'd be denying 200000 fans a seat ...so I guess that would reduce traffic issues.

What it wouldn't do is get them the same gate receipts and cost them to host it. Even Wembley would do little to change the London centric issues and still carries the financial hit.

I can only assume it's a joke to suggest it?

(Not withstanding when they played elsewhere due to the redevelopment)

I think Wembley would be much better for an evening game, and the transport system is accustomed to having late England games midweek

There's far more transport options back into London from Wembley than there are from Twickers, which is so heavily reliant on Shoddy West Trains

But we don't want to play there, thats for sure!!!

by Scottrf Thu 16 Mar 2017, 9:59 am

LordDowlais wrote:But what has that go to do with 10,000 people all descending on on train station inbetween 10pm and 11pm on a Friday night ?

Are comments on here supposed to have relevance? When was that rule brought in?

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 16 Mar 2017, 10:22 am

TightHEAD wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
SecretFly wrote:Friday nights? Hmmm, yeah, we'll take a few. Millennium was always full, wasn't it? Always lively, always a great atmosphere.

I heard there was a horrible atmosphere at the Wales v England game a couple of seasons ago. Fighting in the stands, pints thrown at the press area, the lot.

I blame Roger Lewis, and DJ Spoony.

I saw it happen and still suffer with flashbacks, from what I could tell a home fan spilt a pint of Brains over an English gents Barbour jacket and prawn sandwich so they challenged them to a duel.

Tell me it was a duel with swords! Smile

by Gooseberry Thu 16 Mar 2017, 10:24 am

LordDowlais wrote:But what has that go to do with 10,000 people all descending on on train station inbetween 10pm and 11pm on a Friday night ?

Snakes on a train?

by Gooseberry Thu 16 Mar 2017, 10:26 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

I heard there was a horrible atmosphere at the Wales v England game a couple of seasons ago. Fighting in the stands, pints thrown at the press area, the lot.

Thats what happens when you make Henson sit in the crowd.

LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make.

Well its not really ...it is a realtively small area, smaller than Ulster and Maro Itoje. The issue is the transport links are terrible, especially for anyone not in the South coast conurbation. This is probably why half the Plaid Cymru members in the North own Liverpool shirts.

It does seem a large number of Wales fans travel in from across the border anyway. The crossing is always a bottleneck but the traffic was backed up almost the length of the M4 and M5 last Friday.

Regardless of where people are coming from Friday rush hour is not ideal for travelling in any part of the UK, even more so when theres only two major routes in.

The hosting of games on a Friday night has had mixed success from a fan perspective, but done a lot to annoy councils and other bodies. I have no issue with WRU pushing back against the volume of these games.

by GunsGermsV2 Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:07 am

LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make.

Next you will be trying to convince us that St Patrick was from Wales.

Why ?

Are you always this much craic Lord?

by LordDowlais Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:08 am

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make.

Next you will be trying to convince us that St Patrick was from Wales.

Why ?

Are you always this much craic Lord?

Don't mind me. It's just early. Hug

by GunsGermsV2 Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:09 am

LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make.

Next you will be trying to convince us that St Patrick was from Wales.

Why ?

Are you always this much craic Lord?

Don't mind me. It's just early.

Are you not excited about St Patrick's day tomorrow?

by Guest Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:11 am

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:Is Wales not a tiny place, just a hop skip and a jump to literally everywhere?

What a moronic statement to make.

Next you will be trying to convince us that St Patrick was from Wales.

Why ?

Are you always this much craic Lord?

Don't mind me. It's just early.

Are you not excited about St Patrick's day tomorrow?

St Patrick was a poached project player. To hell with him! Run

by TightHEAD Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:13 am

St Paddy had Kiwi Grandparents

by GunsGermsV2 Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:17 am

Cant believe that there have never been a blockbuster movie made about St Patrick. Cillian Murphy to play Pat and Brendan Gleeson to play Niall of the Nine Hostages. Mel Gibson to direct.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:20 am

Michael Sheen in the lead role, surely?

by GunsGermsV2 Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:21 am

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Michael Sheen in the lead role, surely?

Is he not a little fragile looking. Great actor though. Maybe Rhys Ifans?

by Guest Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:24 am

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Michael Sheen in the lead role, surely?

Is he not a little fragile looking. Great actor though. Maybe Rhys Ifans?

Christian Bale is Welsh (apparently). He's a bit more rugged, if that's what you're after Guns Wink

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:28 am

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Michael Sheen in the lead role, surely?

Is he not a little fragile looking. Great actor though. Maybe Rhys Ifans?

Rhys Ifans is no saint! Laugh

by GunsGermsV2 Thu 16 Mar 2017, 11:29 am

Griff wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Michael Sheen in the lead role, surely?

Is he not a little fragile looking. Great actor though. Maybe Rhys Ifans?

Christian Bale is Welsh (apparently). He's a bit more rugged, if that's what you're after Guns

Oh yeah perfect. He would definitely scare the snakes out.

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