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European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
By Jason Harris
May 21 2009
ERC, the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup organisers, have released the fixture dates for both 2009/10 tournaments, with the European Challenge Cup again set to include Thursday matches. The fixtures are the first year of a confirmed three-year schedule for European weekends that has been agreed by all European rugby stakeholders. So get those leave requests in now!

The 2009-10 European Campaign will kick-off on the weekend of 9 / 10 / 11 October, 2009 - with the Heineken Cup set to reach a climax with the 2010 Paris final being staged at Stade de France on Saturday, 22 May, 2010.


The Pool stages will again be played in three blocks of two Rounds with the knock-out stages starting a week after the Easter weekend. 

Note that the dates below are for Fri/Sat/Sun of the given weekends.

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP 2009/10

2009

ROUND 1 - 9/10/11 October
ROUND 2 - 16/17/18 October

ROUND 3 -11/12/13 December
ROUND 4 -18/19/20 December

2010

ROUND 5 - 15/16/17 January
ROUND 6 - 22/23/24 January

QUARTER-FINALS - 9 / 10 / 11 April

SEMI-FINALS - 30 April / 1 / 2 May

European Challenge Cup Final 21 / 22 / 23 May

The teams that are likely to be in next month's draw are as follows:

England (5): Saracens, Leeds, Worcester, Newcastle and Wasps

France: (8) Castres, Montpellier, Toulon, Montauban, Bayonne, Bourgoin, Racing Metro 92, Albi.

Ireland (1): Connacht

Italy (3 or 4): Petrarca Padova, Overmach Cariparma, Rovigo, Calvisano.

Romania (1): Bucuresti (tbc)

Spain (1): CRC Madrid (tbc)

 

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European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: TheSaracens.com (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 10:54

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: PhillFez (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 10:57

Round 4 in Parma sounds good (even if Kat is in Palma) ;o)

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: AlanE (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:02

Almost traditional......I am sure MrsE would like another Xmas shopping trip.

Which comp are Viadana in next year - could Forza Micky be our undoing?

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:16

Viadana are in the Super 10 semi-finals, the winners of which
both go into the Heineken, so it won't be clear until Saturday night when the second legs are played. Viadana beat Rovigo 23-19 away in the first leg last weekend and should be favourites to go through with the return leg at the Zafanella.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Rupes (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:16

ok, here's the "What's Your Ideal Group" thread. Mine:

Connacht
Montpellier (if not HC bound)
Dax

Is it possible to have 2 French teams in a single group though? If not, I'll take Cetransa El Salvador (Valladolid) instead please.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:39

Article now with added probable participants.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:42

Rupes, there is a 3-in-5 chance that we could have two French teams in the same Pool. Just like we did this past season; i.e. Bayonne and Mont de Marsan. Eejit. winking smiley

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:49

Let's have a capital time - Racing Metro, Madrid, Bucuresti.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Rupes (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:52

Is there a category in the EOS Poll for "Stupidest Question Asked on the Message Board"? If so, many thanks for the award.

Montpellier and Dax then, please (Sm129)

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Gryff (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:52

Note to self resign or get dismissed 1st October only way I'll ever get to a January weekend though the Boss has promised this year lol !

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:55

Er, Dax have been relegated. Eejit. winking smiley

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: utilitywibble (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:56

Do all but the bottom Magners league team get Heineken cup qualification these days?

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:56

The next-to-bottom (Welsh or Irish) Magners team usually has a play-off against the third-best Italian side - RTFA, mun!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:21:11:59:34 by large.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Rupes (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 11:57

Am I ok with Connacht then?! LOL Off for a long lunch, I think I need it...(note to Statler - not a marketing lunch, I'm not playing with crayons).

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Statler (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 14:59

Didn't even cross my mind Rupes... no Glasgow again? blimey its becoming a habit grinning smiley

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Prestwick (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 15:00

I'd probably take Connacht, any French team like Montpellier, and Parma team (as Parma has an epic factor of +10) or CRC Madrid.

This time I'll be bringing three guys along, my Dad and my two Bros in Law. You all might remember that me and Dad came along to Viadana and I forgot to thank you all for making it such a fantastic weekend for him as due to work he wasn't able to take a holiday for a year and a half before our trip to Viadana! Never saw him look so happy for a long while smiling smiley

So its true: the medicine for stress IS a weekend away with Saracens!!!

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3875/stillfightin.jpg

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: TOKS (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 15:12

The symptom and the remedy, Prestwick...

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Le Diplomat (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 18:12

Madrid, The Irish guys(ducking us for too long i feel) and Montepellier (in Cuckoo land)(Sm105)

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: lgwt@castlebar (IP Logged)
Date: 21/05/2009 18:51

Quote:
Rupes
ok, here's the "What's Your Ideal Group" thread. Mine:
Connacht
Montpellier (if not HC bound)
Dax

Is it possible to have 2 French teams in a single group though? If not, I'll take Cetransa El Salvador (Valladolid) instead please.


Wouldn't mind that. Trip to Dax and our very old friends Montpellier (played them about 20 times in last five years it seems) great fans, in rounds 1-3, great weather. And GP team I haven't visited yet. Saracens would fit the bill nicely.

LGWT in Galway.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: TonyTaff (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 08:13

Isn't Bucharest the only destination where our blue-collar fans can afford to buy the drinks? angry smiley [I don't even want to contemplate a trip to Newput.]

Any three from Parma, Racing-Metro 92, Toulon (I'd stay somewhere along the coast rather than in the town), Montpellier and Valladolid would do it for me.

£141.21 (*) donated to the Saracens Foundation due to visits to the Sarries frontpage [www.rugbynetwork.net]

Please read and submit articles for publication. (*) As at Oct 31, 2009

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 22/05/2009 10:30

I'm sure that Valladolid would do it for you, TT, but the rugby is likely to be in Madrid as El Salvador did not win the Spanish league this year. (Unless they are having a playoff - my Spanish is non-existent, but I couldn't find any playoff fixtures on the federation's web site)

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: TonyTaff (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2009 08:21

OK. Madrid is OK for me too, but I've spent quite a lot of time working there, so I'd fancy a bit of a change ...

... Oh and I've been polishing up my Spanish, too!

£141.21 (*) donated to the Saracens Foundation due to visits to the Sarries frontpage [www.rugbynetwork.net]

Please read and submit articles for publication. (*) As at Oct 31, 2009

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Prestwick (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2009 02:18

Quote:
large
I'm sure that Valladolid would do it for you, TT, but the rugby is likely to be in Madrid as El Salvador did not win the Spanish league this year. (Unless they are having a playoff - my Spanish is non-existent, but I couldn't find any playoff fixtures on the federation's web site)

1. Hola = Hello
2. Dos cervezas, por favor! = two beers, please!
3. Dónde está el baño? = Where is the toilet?
4. No señor, eso no es chorizo relleno mi pantalón = No sir, that is not chorizo stuffed down my trousers.

There you go! All you need to know..

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3875/stillfightin.jpg

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2009 20:19

Treviso and Viadana have both qualified for the Heineken after winning their respective semi finals.

Rovigo will playing in the ECC and Calvisano will play the Dragons on Friday with the winner taking the final Heineken Cup place.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Convex Hull (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2009 20:32

Rovigo looks quite an attractive town from what I can see from googling.

I notice that the city is twinned with Bedford, and a town in Burkina Faso.

I guess all you old stagers already know this and have been there fifteen times, but for anyone else....

RUGBY ROVIGO

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Prestwick (IP Logged)
Date: 24/05/2009 22:12

What is the ground like? I see from Google Maps that it is at least within reasonable walking distance of the city center.

Also appears to be within easy reach of either Blognia and Venice by train.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3875/stillfightin.jpg

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Convex Hull (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2009 03:27

there are pictures of it on the internet. seating for around 5000.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Delynagh (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2009 09:58

Anywhere Ryanair are not involved.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Steve Robo (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2009 10:43

Prestwick, Surely you meant senorita ????

"4. No señor, eso no es chorizo relleno mi pantalón = No sir, that is not chorizo stuffed down my trousers."

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: TonyTaff (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2009 11:12

'Hijo de puta = Matt Cairns has missed his jumper, again winking smiley

£141.21 (*) donated to the Saracens Foundation due to visits to the Sarries frontpage [www.rugbynetwork.net]

Please read and submit articles for publication. (*) As at Oct 31, 2009

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 26/05/2009 09:39

The Pro D2 final, which will determine the final French participant, will be between Albi who beat La Rochelle and Oyonnax who upset Agen away from home. Albi start as favourites, I think.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 26/05/2009 11:45

Now updated with the current situation after last weekend's Pro D2 and Super 10 semi-finals, and the ECC final.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:26:11:46:03 by large.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: RedSaint (IP Logged)
Date: 27/05/2009 13:04

Romania are certainly submitting Bucharesti Oaks, as they're an amalgamated team created purely for this competition (just like Munster in the HEC) comprising most of the non-Georgian stars of the most viewed bit of 'rugby' around the world this year.

Rumours are the Spanish Union may refuse to put forward a team altogether as a huge club/union row escalates over union plans to 'Moffetize', including effectively merging El Salvador and the Madrid clubs - CRC included.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 28/05/2009 14:35

Thanks, RS. I know something is afoot in Spain as the Iberia Cup has been cancelled for this season. Guess we'll find out in due course whether there will be a Spanish team or if the Italians will be asked to enter a fifth team to fill the void.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Steve Robo (IP Logged)
Date: 29/05/2009 07:44

After reading a heart wrenching article about L'Aquila rugby club in this months Rugby World, coupled with the obvious problems mentioned here about Spanish involvement in the ECC. I thought, wouldn't it be fitting if the Spanish couldn't put a team forward and L'Aquila are invited to participate.
After the devastation and deaths caused by the earthquake, it could be a tribute to the town and their team and bring some well earned revenue in to the area.
Just a thought, however impossible

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 01/06/2009 13:37

Now updated with the final participants from France and Italy after Albi beat Oyonnax in the Pro D2 promotion playoff and Dragons beat Calvisano in the HC playoff.

Just the Iberian and Romanian participants to be confirmed now.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2009 12:28

Another quiet day at work so I have been taking a look at the seeding Tiers for the ECC draw which will take place in the next couple of weeks.

Based on the offical ERC rankings, they should look something like this (ERC rankings in brackets)

Tier 1 - London Wasps (7), Saracens (12), Bourgoin (19), Worcester (23), Newcastle (25).

Tier 2 - Castres (27), Leeds (29), Calvisano (31), Connacht (34), Montauban (35).

Tier 3 - Overmach Parma (37), Montpellier, (38), Bayonne (39)

plus two others from the remaining, unranked teams, and the final five going into Tier 4. My guess is that Toulon and Rovigo will compliete Tier 3 given their respective higher league standings this season than the other remaining French/Italian teams.

Tier 4 could then have Racing Metro, Albi, Petrarca, Bucuresti, Madrid.

Based on the avoidance of other English teams and those in Tier 1, we can cross Leeds and Bourgoin off our list.

So, how about - Saracens, Connacht, Montpellier and Madrid?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:03:12:57:08 by large.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Kat (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2009 12:47

Almost gave me a heart attack - I mis-read 'tiers' for 'pools'(Sm105)

I'm loving the look of that 'Dream' pool. Must go and dust off my passport.

Cheers Large.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Le Diplomat (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2009 14:11

I think it is one in a hundred , Larges interpretations of the pools coming to pass, that the pleasure pool comes off. (Sm133)

Still want cuckooland though

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2009 14:43

I've been mulling this over again and I recckon it's a cert that, if the Tiers are going to be based on the ERC rankings, that Leeds, as the only English team in Tier 2, will be in the same Pool as Bourgoin, the only French team in Tier 1.

Three Pools (are you listening, Rupes?) will have two French teams, so it's still possible for us to have two trips to France like we did this past season, but there will certainly be at least one.

Where is cuckooland, Le Dip?

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: hertsman (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2009 16:07

I like the sound of a "pleasure pool" in general smoking smiley Don't mind where we end up playing

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Le Diplomat (IP Logged)
Date: 03/06/2009 18:32

My own incorrect name for Switzerland. Long story.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Borders no.2 (IP Logged)
Date: 04/06/2009 11:41

Anyone know when the draw for this is going to be held?

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Le Diplomat (IP Logged)
Date: 04/06/2009 11:59

The draw will be after all the clubs have sorted out how to maximise commercial posibilities with each other and then they can have their "draw".(Sm29)

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 10:33

Heinken Draw just completed.

Pool 1 - Munster, Perpignan, Northampton, Treviso

Pool 2 - Biarritz, Gloucester, Dragons, Glasgow

Pool 3 - Leicester, Ospreys, ASM, Viadana

Pool 4 - Bath, Stade Francais, Ulster, Edinburgh,

Pool 5 - Toulouse, Cardiff, Sale, Harlequins

Pool 6 - Leinster, London Irish, Scarlets, Brive

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: TonyTaff (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 11:14

Pool 5! Sale don't half get some luck with their HC draws (Sm6)

£141.21 (*) donated to the Saracens Foundation due to visits to the Sarries frontpage [www.rugbynetwork.net]

Please read and submit articles for publication. (*) As at Oct 31, 2009

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Gryff (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 11:42

Anyone know when the Challenge Cup draw is?

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: jeremy ogorman (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 11:51

from those groups - I can see the Premiership getting another 7 teams again next year

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: utilitywibble (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 12:16

It's a bit early to call I know but I think Glasgow will go through from their group..

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Rous Sitter (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 12:31

I'm confused, looking at those groups, and also the groups for the Heineken, they seem to have put Wasps in the wrong competition.
Let's hope they manage to sort the problem out before the season begins.
(Sm22)

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 12:42

Can't wait for the Wasps Wail, normally heard during the month of June, when the Euro Pools are drawn.

Surely,as eggs is eggs, they will complain like hell if they have Castres and Toulon in their Pool when they should, by right of course, have non-French teams of much lower ERC rankings.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: WickWelsh (IP Logged)
Date: 09/06/2009 16:54

Some interesting pools, Leinster get an easy draw and as a Scarlets fan, it hurts to say that (Sm95)

Click

[www.suite101.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:09:19:00:51 by WickWelsh.

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: large (IP Logged)
Date: 23/06/2009 10:30

Just been looking at the transfers in France and Toulon will take some beating if most of the following are in the team

Emanuelli, Mignoni(Clermont),
Lea'aetoa( London Irish),
Bruno, J-M Fernandez-Lobbe, R. Lamont(Sale),
Chesney(Sarries),
El Abd(Bristol),
F Contepomi(Leinster),
May, Wilkinson(Newcastle),
J Robinson(Cardiff(

Re: European Fixture weekends 2009-10 announced
Posted by: Gazzafez (IP Logged)
Date: 23/06/2009 11:49

Who says money can't buy success......I mean, just look at us!!!!! winking smiley

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