pinky wrote: Still no automatic spot for the Champions Cup winners - someday someone is going to get caught with that ...

I'd be delighted for it to be Connacht.

I don't think Connacht can say they were ever done by any "Italian rule". Two season's ago we would have qualified if these new rules were in place, but this season we wouldn't even have gotten a playoff spot, plus we've had more than our fair share of qualification by dubious routes.
That said, the playoffs are a bit silly and this is a better system and gives more certainty, etc.
I'm very surprised the English and French agreed to it though. The whole rationale behind the extra place for the Pro12 was that they had to keep one for each country. With that gone, I thought they'd push for equal representation for each league.
Still no automatic spot for the Champions Cup winners - someday someone is going to get caught with that ...

Possibly the best news to wake up too, if this weekend doesn't go to plan it could add extra emphases to go for a good cup run and league like last season! Really good news for connacht who have been done by the Italian rule a few times! Exciting times ahead if KK can get the team going ! Cardiff and their recent surge of money will be our biggest threat

And no more playoffs. Challenge Cup winner or losing finalist takes 20th spot. Doesn't say what happens if both finalists already qualified.

Big news today no automatic qualifications for Italian teams after next season, so top 7 will qualify for Champions Cup, that's huge for connachts long term progress

What will be the story with extra terracing for Bohermore and College Road will they be doing same as usual or putting up the extra spaces

If we do get through, good to see Connacht have learned from the mistakes of previous years and have a much more sensible ticket allocation policy.
One ticket per person and it's in the same section as your season ticket (subject to availability, but with only one per person, not too many people should be left wanting).
Not entirely happy about the 9am start to sales, but you can't win 'em all - I'm sure there'll still be some left by breakfast time.

9am - Sunday 21st – 48 hour priority access begins for 2016 / 2017 Season Ticket Holders
9am - Tuesday 23rd – 24 hour priority access begins for 2017 / 2018 Season Ticket Holders
9am - Wednesday 24th – Pending availability, any remaining tickets will go on general sale

For the first 48 hours, 2016/17 Season Tickets Holders are entitled to one ticket - in the same section and price category of their Season Ticket.

BEIN 5 is hopefully going to be showing it. Hope Sky sort their shite out and get this on before the Munster game.

Ah cool. If it's on beIN then at least there will be online coverage available somewhere.
And I presume it will be on either Sky or BT once they sort out which one gets it.

It could be worse: the Paris game is at 18.00 on Friday evening! On the other hand, tickets are only a fiver in an attempt to whip up some interest....And as always, beIN Sport is showing both games live in France..

Bit of a balls that, especially after all the time it took them to sort out the timing of it, and they probably won't let TG4 show it either with it being a European game

Someone can Facebook live it...

Sky's listings for live games Saturday 20th @ 4pm
SS1 - League 1 Play off Final
SS2 - Super League
SS3 - World Rugby Sevens
SS4 - Live Tour Golf
SS5 - Super 15
SS Mix - Top 14 Play-Off

BT Sport's listings for live games Saturday 20th @ 4pm
BT1 - Aviva Semi Finals
BT2 - Live WTA Tennis
BT3 - Bundesliga

So if we don't get a red button slot we're listening to Rob and the gang of Galway Bay.

What a cracking try by Clermont. Has to go down as potential try of the year. Love Nigel Owens as referee. He really allows a rugby game to flow. Great final

We were 20/1 when we won away in Toulose ... with these odds were practically favourites.....

Bookies giving Connacht a 3/1 chance ... we've beaten longer odds than that ...