After the demolition of Bristol at the Gardens on Saturday the Saints are still flying high in Europe with a maximum fifteen points secured after the first three pool games. There may be some way to go yet, and I may be counting a few chickens a bit early, but the aim now must surely be a first or second seed spot for the quarter finals. The way the competition is structured not only does that ensure you a home QF but if successful in that tie a home semi final too.

With the Gardens increasingly becoming a fortress I do not have to spell out what an advantage that may be in the long run should we secure one of those valuable top two spots.

And it is certainly within our grasp. Bristol might be a totally different proposition on home turf this weekend but we should come away with the spoils if we approach this game in the same manner as last week as I am sure the coaches will ensure complacency plays no part. Then it is the matter of the return games against the two French sides. Montpellier , who may still be in the hunt for a best runners up spot, will probably give us our sternest test but whatever the result in the south of France by the time Toulon visit a week later we will hopefully be in charge of our own destiny. There is a lot of rugby to be played in the European Challenge Cup yet though but so far so good.

TRYING OR NOT?

Camelot who run the National Lottery have the sales line "You've got to be in it to win it!"  Perhaps those running the European Challenge Cup (and the EDF Cup come to think of it) ought to think of stealing that motto and recycling it as "If you're in it please try to win it!" after seeing the team Bristol put out on Saturday.

Some may think it is perfectly acceptable for teams to pick and choose the competitions they concentrate on but to me it is never quite simple as that.

Being a top flight club is not just about competing in the Guinness Premiership, surely you have a responsibility to compete in the other competitions you qualify for through your higher status too whatever your financial plight. Doesn't each competition have its own monetary rewards?

I wrote last week how coach Richard Hill had stated he was cutting his cloth to suit and concentrating just on Guinness Premiership survival. I thought this a large slice of kidology but no, the side that was humiliated, and lets not mix words it was a humiliation, was a pale shadow of their normal 1st XV.

The problem in my eyes is the effect this has on the tournament as a whole.

Lets not forget it is not only group winners that progress but the best three runners up too. Finishing places are affected by these clubs who view Europe as nothing more than rest weekends. In fact if that is their stance why let them take part in the first place? It seems some clubs are quite happy to take the financial benefits of these competitions but not pay their part of the bargain by fielding competitive sides.  Whilst on the matter as spectators don't we pay to see competitive rugby from both sides too?

I seem to remember Agen being banned from all European competition and fined heavily for contriving to opt out of the Parker Pen Shield a few years ago, is this really any different and have the rules changed? If teams want to opt out let them, but not on a year in year out basis, I am sure there are other clubs around Europe who would be only too happy to replace them long term.

Now I know there will be some of you out there saying its all swings and roundabouts, you win some you lose some and yes this year Saints might benefit by Bristol's and Toulon's no shows. On the other hand how peeved would we be if one year the Saints were pipped to a quarter final spot by a team who had sides in their group that did not care less about the competition?

Come season end though the disrespect the likes of Bristol are showing Europe might come back to haunt them. When push comes to shove at the bottom end of the table one of Bristol 's rivals in that relegation dogfight might find themselves playing a team with an important Heineken Cup tie on the horizon. Wouldn't it be divine justice if that club fielded their 2nd XV...

MONTPELLIER

Next Tuesday, the 16th, ERC are due (though there always seems to be a delay) to announce the dates for the final two group games in the European Challenge Cup. I know a lot of people have an eye on the Montpellier trip in January but with the chance that the game could be at any time from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon most people are holding back on booking till that definite date is announced.

As I've mentioned before I have got to know Montpellier quite well, it is my favourite little corner of the world. Over the last few years I have been there half a dozen times including a month out at the World Cup. So for those not yet booked here is Gleadell Tours brief guide on how to get there and where to stay. Next week I will tell you what see and do when you get there

Montpellier is easily accessible from the UK . You can get direct flights to Montpellier airport from both Gatwick (Easyjet) and Stansted (Ryanair). The airport is fairly near the city around a 15 minute cab ride or a shuttle bus to pick up the tram line into the city centre. An alternative route by air, especially for people in this region is Luton (Easyjet) to Nimes then just a 20 minute train ride to the centre of Montpellier.

For those who prefer the train to take the strain, and I am one of them, you can make a same station change for a direct service via Eurostar at Lille for the TGV down to Montpellier. If you book online keep an eye out for the 1st Class travel prices on that second leg it is sometimes the best option. For those who like the bright lights you also have the option of changing at Paris though you will have to cross town for your connection

So where to stay? Well you will not want for a place to stay in Montpellier, there are numerous hotels around town but bear in mind the ‘hub of the city is the Place de Comedie which has the old town on one side and the modern district on the other. A hotel in this area is probably your best bet as most of the restaurants, cafes and bars are in the area or a walkable distance. There are a few hotels dotted around the Place itself whilst just five minutes walk away, or a two minute tram ride, there are many more in the new Antigone district that leads down towards the River Lez.

One piece of advice, do not be tempted to book a hotel out near the rugby ground. This is a new area of the city and mostly residential with little life and it will mean a trek in and out to the city centre when you only really need to be in this area for the game. So on Tuesday (fingers crossed) get booking, you will not regret it.

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