Is this fair?

[biffer]

Northampton have been told that their January home Heineken Cup game will be on the Saturday

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/8013.php

Looks like preferential treatment to me. Why should Saints get this ahead of everyone else? Surely if ERC have done this they should now name the dates for all of the other teams as well.

[TigerCam]

Northampton have been told that their January home Heineken Cup game will be on the Saturday

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/8013.php

Looks like preferential treatment to me. Why should Saints get this ahead of everyone else? Surely if ERC have done this they should now name the dates for all of the other teams as well.

Don't have a problem with it myself. Don't ask don't get? They want to maximise the financial gain and get organised to do so, so be it.

[Tigerbeat]

I have no problem with this at all. Even if they had not asked it would more than likely been given a Saturday game.

They have not had the kick off time confirmed!!

[PM76]

I don't think it matters too much but it's fair enough.

Don't ask don't get.

[fleabane]

Try booking a venue when you don't know what day you need it on! Lots of logistical problems to sort, and likely to be the match of the round!

Come on Munster!

[Daveyboy]

I doubt that it will increase Saints' chances of qualification.

Last minute RO'G drop goal, anyone?

[biffer]

Ok, fair enough. It was an honest question as I wasn't really sure - saw it on another forum and thought I'd check the view on here.

The only thing about it really is that the Munster fans can now book up in advance, knowing which day they're playing, rather than having to wait until prices for flights and hotels go up like the rest of us.

[Isambard]

So Biffer the answer is no it isnt fair.

[bluntiger]

It will likely be a dead rubber for Saints anyway by then. Sorry, couldn't resist!

[BJ.]

It will likely be a dead rubber for Saints anyway by then. Sorry, couldn't resist!

There's no need to apologise. It's a distinct possibility it'll all be over for the Saints after Round 3 as they're away to Castres that weekend.

The only thing about it really is that the Munster fans can now book up in advance, knowing which day they're playing, rather than having to wait until prices for flights and hotels go up like the rest of us.

Like the rest of us? Speak for yourself! Our flights and accommodation for Belfast were booked within minutes of the fixtures being announced. If you want to wait until the last minute to book yours, then that's up to you but don't complain if the prices have gone up.

This sounds like a similar scenario to what happened in 2009. There were some Tigers supporters who wouldn't provisionally book hotel rooms in Edinburgh until they were certain we had reached the final. They then proceeded to whinge like when they couldn't get accommodation in the city.

[Isambard]

That was the final so stupidly placed on a Sunday afternoon with a 4pm kick off and hotels only available for a minimum of 2 nights. No hotels within 40 miles after the semi final.

[DickyP]

Seems a bizarre or more likely trouble-making thread - how do we know if it is unfair unless anyone else has asked and not be given it? Do we know how many other teams even wanted it?

Of course it might be unfair but why cry foul when all you have is an article on a club web site.

Mind you I always say "why let facts get in the way of a good argument".

[BJ.]

That was the final so stupidly placed on a Sunday afternoon with a 4pm kick off and hotels only available for a minimum of 2 nights. No hotels within 40 miles after the semi final.

1. The 2009 Heineken Cup final kicked off at 17.00 on Sat 23 May. See HC website
2. What is wrong with provisionally booking hotel accommodation well in advance and then cancelling it if it's not required?

[biffer]

It will likely be a dead rubber for Saints anyway by then. Sorry, couldn't resist!

There's no need to apologise. It's a distinct possibility it'll all be over for the Saints after Round 3 as they're away to Castres that weekend.

The only thing about it really is that the Munster fans can now book up in advance, knowing which day they're playing, rather than having to wait until prices for flights and hotels go up like the rest of us.

Like the rest of us? Speak for yourself! Our flights and accommodation for Belfast were booked within minutes of the fixtures being announced. If you want to wait until the last minute to book yours, then that's up to you but don't complain if the prices have gone up.

This sounds like a similar scenario to what happened in 2009. There were some Tigers supporters who wouldn't provisionally book hotel rooms in Edinburgh until they were certain we had reached the final. They then proceeded to whinge like when they couldn't get accommodation in the city.

Some people might not be able to afford to take Friday and Monday off and stay for three nights - which is what you'd need to do if you're going to cover a Friday night kickoff and Sunday 3 pm kickoff (I wouldn't fancy your chances of making the Friday night if you're on the 17.05 flight from East mids, or getting to the airport on Sunday if you're on the 18.45 on the way back). But if you're well off enough not to care, then that's fine.

[biffer]

Seems a bizarre or more likely trouble-making thread - how do we know if it is unfair unless anyone else has asked and not be given it? Do we know how many other teams even wanted it?

Of course it might be unfair but why cry foul when all you have is an article on a club web site.

Mind you I always say "why let facts get in the way of a good argument".

I know that Edinburgh have requested a Friday night home fixture previously and been told by ERC that they wanted to announce all the fixture dates at the same time. This would have been 2004 and 2005, after which they stopped asking as it wasn't worthwhile. If there had been a change of policy then surely ERC should have let all teams know about it?