Makes sense for the last round to be TBC. The TV companies will want to certain games played at times that suit them. They just wont know what those certain games are until after the 4th round realistically

As for the fixtures, considering going to the Sale away game.
The times for the home matches are frustrating. All Saturday afternoons (or early evening)
Whatever the reason, Friday Night matches seem to have been killed off

Sat Oct 13th 3pm Bordeaux (H)
Sat Oct 20th 3pm Sale (A)
Sat Dec 08th 3pm Perpignan (H)
Fri Dec 14th 8pm Perpignan (A)
Sat Jan 12th 3pm Sale (H)
Bordeaux (A) - round 6 game probably Sat 19th of Jan but TBC for some reason

I agree, after two dismal seasons, the league has to be our priority.

It's a very even group and easily the most difficult of the five. Depending on the timing of the fixtures, both of the French sides are likely focus on the Top 14. USAP is probably, along with Grenoble, the weakest side in the division. Despite being the best supported side in Europe,UBB has struggled over the past three seasons, reaching no higher than 10th place. Sale is at a similar level. Based on the last two seasons, we're probably a little behind both Sale and UBB and ahead of USAP. Nonetheless, we should be able to win all three at home. After this, it will be a lottery....

Don't really fancy us in that group. Looking at the other groups this will more than likely be a group that only one team gets out of. Depends on the schedule and how bothered the French sides are about the competition I guess but there's no soft points in this group like last year.

I think the league is priority for us this year. Last season I thought the challege cup was very winnable but the competition looks stronger this year and our chances of a good seeding are low. Of course we have to see how the fixtures play out and where we are at in the league when Europe rolls around but the league looks our most realistic avenue back into the top competition.

Welcome Coll roig. Great to see fans of other teams dropping by and saying hello. You and your friends will be very welcome in Galway and The Sportsground.

Diabhal wrote: Has the Thursday night Challenge Cup slot been done away with? It doesn't have any Thursdays down on that dates list.

Looks like it. Possibly due to there being only one UK/Ireland TV rights holder now.

Has the Thursday night Challenge Cup slot been done away with? It doesn't have any Thursdays down on that dates list.

Recently moved to Bristol so was hoping we'd get them. Will deffo make the Sale away game and hopefully convince the gf of the merits of a romantic weekend in Bordeaux. Tough draw though. A solid start to the Pro 14 is imperative - does anyone know when those fixtures are announced?

Cheers folks
One thing I would say is Manchester can get very expensive if it's a premier league weekend as one of the teams will almost certainly be at home and they attract a big non-local fanbase.

Hi everybody here !

I 'll be very happy to discover GALWAY city and people ...I'm an USAP fan , we were in PRO D 2 for the last 4 years , we come back in European competition with a great pleasure ...

I and my friends will attempt to be there for our game in CONNACHT stadium ...

As the dates will be known , I will come back here ...

The 6 weekend dates are already out
Oct 12-14 & 19-21
Dec 7-9 & 14-16
Jan 11-13 & 18-20

So get busy on Booking.com for Bordeaux and Perpignan. Manchester will be easy.

12 booking but don't forget the free cancellation

Accidentally Onside wrote: Tough group but could be interesting
Any idea when fixtures comes out?

Within two weeks of the finalisation of the Pro14, Top14 and Premiership fixture lists apparently.....

Tough group but could be interesting
Any idea when fixtures comes out?

Not the worst. Would have preferred Timisoara from the last pot. And Bordeaux will probably take it more seriously than Agen. But three teams we haven't played in recent years so a bit of variety anyway.

And Pat Lam gets to go back to Siberia!

Well, probably Sochi these days.

Sale, Connacht, Bordeaux and Perpignan