European Rugby Champions Cup

[Hornet]

Only problem is it wasn't put out to tender. It was appointment by approach, with the inherent bias that is caused by such procedure.

Source?

Paul Rees in yesterday's Guardian:
"... the organisers European Professional Club Rugby see the occasion as a chance to expand the game rather than keep it in strongholds."

Rees was and remains a noted shill for the Oligarchs of the new regime. He's close to the pulse. No mention of any tender process there!


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The Guardian is about a useful a source as the Mail.

[fourthirtythree]

It is indeed, well as the Torygraph anyway, excepting anything relating to science of course where the Mail and Torygraph are substantially less useful than consulting your own arse. Its rugby coverage is particularly poor and distinguished in a poor field by just how low it will stoop to gain access. And it stooped rather low, so it's a reasonable barometer of what the Nigels want out there, that's its purpose in this context.

We will however need to see some evidence of a tender. They do leave trails.

[artaneboy]

Source?

Paul Rees in yesterday's Guardian:
"... the organisers European Professional Club Rugby see the occasion as a chance to expand the game rather than keep it in strongholds."

Rees was and remains a noted shill for the Oligarchs of the new regime. He's close to the pulse. No mention of any tender process there!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Guardian is about a useful a source as the Mail.

Well we can all reject information that doesn't suit, based on the news outlet- sometimes with good reason. But other publications confirm it was a decision of the "new administration"; no mentions of tenders. Where did. You get you're info that it was?


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[artaneboy]

Paul Rees in yesterday's Guardian:
"... the organisers European Professional Club Rugby see the occasion as a chance to expand the game rather than keep it in strongholds."

Rees was and remains a noted shill for the Oligarchs of the new regime. He's close to the pulse. No mention of any tender process there!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Guardian is about a useful a source as the Mail.

Well we can all reject information that doesn't suit, based on the news outlet- sometimes with good reason. But other publications confirm it was a decision of the "new administration"; no mentions of tenders. Where did. You get you're info that it was?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[domhnallj]

The Guardian is about a useful a source as the Mail.

Not really, only one of those kids has been banned by Wikipedia and labelled an unreliable source.

[domhnallj]

...premier inn at the gate where I imagine the Doc met his students...

Had to check - close - but actually stayed at Premier Inn City Centre (New Bridge Street) - wasn't for the views

Ah, well that explains it. Crammed in by Northumbria Uni and the central motorway will lead to profound sense of ennui.

[Hornet]

Well we can all reject information that doesn't suit, based on the news outlet- sometimes with good reason. But other publications confirm it was a decision of the "new administration"; no mentions of tenders. Where did. You get you're info that it was?

EPCR Director General, Vincent Gaillard
"We had exceptional bids for the 2018 finals which is testimony to the transparent and detailed process that we have implemented. Bilbao is a state-of-the-art venue with a commitment to the financial and operational elements of our finals that will allow us to deliver outstanding rugby experiences in a new and exciting setting. Newcastle also gives us a top-class venue and a new city in England for the biggest matches in the European club game. To successfully engage with an unprecedented number of bidding cities over the last months shows the attractive proposition that our finals present and we see this a really positive sign for the future of European professional club rugby."

My bold.

http://forum.leinsterfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=24762

I would not rely on any single source for confirmation from the Press. Journo's have long given up factual reporting, instead relying on their own viewpoint to be taken as fact.

[colinmtn]

Here is the press announcement from last December when Newcastle submitted their bid, they were the only English bidder. Cities were asked to apply through their leagues governing body, the IRFU decided not to bid as they didn't think they could win given this years final is in Edinburgh.

https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/news-story ... cup-finals

I heard there were only 3 bids submitted, Newcastle, Bilbao and Cardiff.

[EarthGorilla]

Newcastle is a great spot. Very different to the perceptions and would be a brilliant venue for a final given the stadium is plonked right in the city center. Hopefully we make it and turn the Toon blue!

[Hornet]

I've been watching the Vuelta al País Vasco over the last couple of nights. Certainly whetting my appetite for a trip to Bilbao, and a chance to explore the Basque Country. Not been to Newcastle for years. Some great places around there though to spend some time.

[Morf]

I've been watching the Vuelta al País Vasco over the last couple of nights. Certainly whetting my appetite for a trip to Bilbao, and a chance to explore the Basque Country. Not been to Newcastle for years. Some great places around there though to spend some time.

Bilbao was a bit industrial/major port city for me but I didn't get a huge amount of time to spend there.

San Sebastian/Donosti is an absolute gem of a place.

Vittoria is worth a look too.

[footrush]

I've been watching the Vuelta al País Vasco over the last couple of nights. Certainly whetting my appetite for a trip to Bilbao, and a chance to explore the Basque Country. Not been to Newcastle for years. Some great places around there though to spend some time.

Bilbao was a bit industrial/major port city for me but I didn't get a huge amount of time to spend there.

San Sebastian/Donosti is an absolute gem of a place.

Vittoria is worth a look too.

Will stay in Bayonne fantastic rugby town, Pottoka is the best mascot in the world. Easy trip across the border for the game. ( Bouncing Basque bus to the match ).

[simonokeeffe]

Its behind a paywall but Torygraph reporting EPCR getting rid of guaranteed national representation

Am on board with it now personally

[Dave Cahill]

Where is that?

[rooster]

Its behind a paywall but Torygraph reporting EPCR getting rid of guaranteed national representation

Am on board with it now personally

It's the slippery slope to an English-French competition which is what they originally were trying for.

[simonokeeffe]

Its behind a paywall but Torygraph reporting EPCR getting rid of guaranteed national representation

Am on board with it now personally

It's the slippery slope to an English-French competition which is what they originally were trying for.

Nah they need us more than French, French would leave them for a younger tournament in a heartbeat

@DC Gavin Mairs tweeted the link IIRC

[Dave Cahill]

Thankee kindly sirrah

[ronk]

The Italian teams make our draw harder because we don't get them in our group often. It suits the English and French teams anyway.

[kermischocolate]

Just been looking at the Clermont squad for the weekend's final- their injury list is horrendous! I'm not sure they even have 2 fit centres to start.

[offshorerules]

Lamerat has been declared fit along with Parra so some good news for them on that front anyway.