Matches cancelled/moved over the weekend.

thomond2006

The Ulster vs Ospreys ML game has been postponed:

http://www.magnersleague.com/news/4570.php

Due to adverse weather conditions, the Munster vs Scarlets match due to take place at Musgrave Park on Sunday may be moved to Thomond Park.

Details here: http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/6967.php

Don't want ye turning up at the wrong ground!

Zzippy

Apparently all the games are under threat:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0106/1224261732644.html

Provinces scramble to get matches played

MAGNERS LEAGUE: A CURIOSITY of the Magners League fixture list is that this weekend all four Irish provinces are scheduled to be at home, with just one match in Scotland and none at all in Wales. But, following the cancellation of Connacht’s game against Leinster last Saturday, the big chill is jeopardising the chances of any game taking place.
Three are scheduled for Friday night: Leinster and the Glasgow Warriors at the RDS (8.0), Ulster versus the Ospreys at Ravenhill (7.05) and Connacht against the Dragons at the Sportsground (6.30). And on Sunday Munster are to take on the Scarlets at Musgrave Park (5.0).

As things stand, the Ulster game looks “very, very doubtful”, according to a branch spokesperson, and indeed it could be postponed as early as this morning following a pitch inspection.

Ravenhill has been frozen since last Saturday, and, though currently under cover, the local forecast is for no break in the freezing weather before January 18th, which also casts a cloud over their Heineken Cup game at home to Edinburgh on Friday week.

As with the Connacht-Leinster game, were it postponed the likelihood is that the Ulster-Ospreys match will be rescheduled for a Six Nations’ weekend, perhaps even on a Thursday beforehand.

Although the overnight frost was not as bad in the Galway area, and the covered Sportsground pitch had improved overnight with the aid of hot air on the surface, the Connacht-Dragons game also remains in doubt.

“We’re trying a new system and we’ll have a better idea tomorrow,” said Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly last night, “but it’s touch and go.”

The prospect of having to rearrange two home games, perhaps on Six Nations weekends, is far from ideal.

Nor is having two idle weekends prior to their crunch Challenge Cup game against Montpellier on Friday week.

Kelly has asked the Dragons about rearranging the game for Saturday lunchtime, and the Welsh region are looking into revising their travel plans, but they are scheduled to fly from Luton on Thursday and return on Saturday at 8.30am.

Their return journey could prove more difficult to reschedule, and, with heavy snow forecast in England, the Dragons could have additional complications in travelling by coach from Newport to Luton.

Referee Eddie Walsh will oversee a pitch inspection today prior to further communication between the clubs.

Leinster, similarly, also face the possibility of having been idle for two weeks before resuming the defence of their Heineken Cup crown, and of having to rearrange two league games.

Chief executive Mick Dawson said: “We’re determined to get this match on next Friday night and we’re making every effort at taking all the best advice to get it on. You just don’t want a backlog of matches.

“The STRI – the agronomists who put in the pitch at the RDS – are looking after the pitch. If the match had to be played today we’re told it could be played. A very heavy tarpaulin cover is going on the pitch for tonight.

“We’ve explored the possibility of getting blowers under tents, but apparently every Premiership soccer and rugby club in England has taken them all up so they’re very difficult to acquire.”

Friday’s forecast in Dublin is to be clear and sunny, but with the temperature only getting up to two or three degrees.

As for spectator safety, Leinster employ Eamonn O’Boyle and Associates, chartered fire and safety engineers and event safety consultants, and they also have gritting on standby at the RDS, if needs be.

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald remained “reasonably confident” their game will go ahead on Sunday.

“The pitch is going to be covered tomorrow and will be inspected on Friday at lunchtime in the presence of a referee, and again on Saturday at match time. We have Thomond Park on standby as well and we have spoken to Llanelli and they are aware of the situation.”

Fitzgerald admitted that there are many issues aside from the state of the pitch, due to the temperatures outside the ground, as well as terracing and access to Musgrave Park.

“We have a grit mix of salt and sand ordered and prepared for match day, and we’re in constant contact with the Celtic League board and with the local authorities and gardaí.”

Fitzgerald admitted everything depends on the vagaries of the weather, but added: “Looking at the forecast, having the extra day may be in our favour.”

Leinster and Munster will consider changing kick-off times to reduce the risk of the pitches refreezing in the very low temperatures.

“There’s obviously an issue with the broadcasters, but it’s definitely for consideration if we’d be way better off playing it at 2.30pm rather than 5pm,” said Fitzgerald.

Meanwhile, Dawson said: “We’re going to ask the Celtic League if we can move the game forward to 6pm on Friday evening if that gives us a better chance of playing it.”

When asked if a Saturday lunchtime kick-off might also be considered, he said: “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

With the wintry weather set to play havoc with English sport this week, Sale Sharks have already moved their Friday night game against Saracens in the Premiership to Saturday at 1.05pm, while Sky Sports have agreed to a switch in the Leicester-Wasps game from 5.30pm to 3.15pm on Saturday.

P_1

I'd imagine if any of the matches go ahead over the weekend the kickoffs will certainly be switched to Saturday/Sunday afternoon.

Makes no sense for there to be evening kickoffs during this weather.

kensutz

It would make sense to have early kick offs to ensure safety and also good photographing conditions

P_1

Saying on mf.com that the Connacht match is off now too.

Someone might delete the other thread I set up I hadn't seen this thread.Connacht game is off see the Connacht site and the Ulster game is off as mentioned.

Sale v Saracens & Newcastle v Gloucester are off across the water.

danthefan

Leinster keeping the option of changing the time or day of the game, possibly will be on Friday but earlier than 8. Will screw things up for a lot of fans but very little that can be done really, would be too much strain to have 2 more games later in the season.

crisco10

danthefan wrote: »

Leinster keeping the option of changing the time or day of the game, possibly will be on Friday but earlier than 8. Will screw things up for a lot of fans but very little that can be done really, would be too much strain to have 2 more games later in the season.

Much prefer if they pushed it back to Sat afternoon from a fans point of view. It will be much easier to drift (literally!:eek:) into the RDS for a 2pm KO off sat than be rushing to get through snowy rush hour for a 6 kick off on Friday evening.

irishbucsfan

danthefan wrote: »

Leinster keeping the option of changing the time or day of the game, possibly will be on Friday but earlier than 8. Will screw things up for a lot of fans but very little that can be done really, would be too much strain to have 2 more games later in the season.

Im currently trying to decide whether I should skip training and go to the match or train and miss the match... pushing it back to saturday would be ideal, because I doubt our scheduled game will go ahead

Trojan

danthefan wrote: »

Leinster keeping the option of changing the time or day of the game, possibly will be on Friday but earlier than 8. Will screw things up for a lot of fans but very little that can be done really, would be too much strain to have 2 more games later in the season.

I'd prefer if they played it anywhere, anytime this weekend even if I can't go so at least we get some gametime before the next HEC game. That's far more important from a fans point of view than going to this one game.

justsomebloke

seems like the Leinster game is still on at the moment, wonder how many people will turn up for it as it will be one thing getting to the match but trying to get home at 10 in freezing conditions with the roads as bad as they are is another all together

Tim Robbins

Joe the Santa wrote: »

seems like the Leinster game is still on at the moment, wonder how many people will turn up for it as it will be one thing getting to the match but trying to get home at 10 in freezing conditions with the roads as bad as they are is another all together

Good point.
Every single other rugby match in Leinster has been called off this weekend.

Depp

For anyone who cares New Ross u19's v Gorey u19's is called off.

Riskymove

well leinster is off


and latest on Munster

Pitch inspections were carried out this afternoon at Musgrave Park and Thomond Park by representatives of the IRFU Referee Department and Munster Rugby officials.

Musgrave Park will undergo a further assessment at 5.30pm on Saturday evening before a final decision is made. Munster are confident that the game will take place and every effort is being made to ensure the game goes ahead as planned, with protective covers laid on the surface and heaters in place.

In the event that Musgrave Park is deemed unplayable, the game is likely to be postponed as Thomond Park is currently unplayable. A further pitch inspection will take place at Thomond Park tomorrow evening also.

Munster Rugby did examine the possibility of playing the game at 2.40pm on Sunday, however, following consultation with the Scarlets, Magners League and the broadcasters, this was deemed unfeasible.

thomond2006

Munster vs Scarlets is postponed.

top14 for weekend rugby fix so.

Risteard

Boourns.

danthefan

Deleted User wrote: »

top14 for weekend rugby fix so.

Leicester - Wasps, 3:15 this afternoon, still on as of now.

ooo nice. another reason to avoid doing some work

funky penguin

All these cancellations are really going to take a toll later in the season. It'll be very interesting to see how the Magners league handles it.

Digifriendly

funky penguin wrote: »

All these cancellations are really going to take a toll later in the season. It'll be very interesting to see how the Magners league handles it.

Can they be reaaranged for 6 Nations weekends or would British/Irish Cup games rule this out?

cee_jay

Munster v Scarlets Off
9 January 2010, 11:14 am
By Chris Byrne
The Munster versus Scarlets Magners League match scheduled for Musgrave Park tomorrow has been called off.
Despite strenuous effort by ground staff, overnight plummeting temperatures, while not effecting the pitch itself - because it had been covered by a warm blanket - left surrounding areas in a precarious condition and in the interests of safety the decision was made by officials at 10am this morning to call off the game.

A statement from Munster Rugby is expected shortly.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/6984.php

Trojan

Cancelled because of surrounding areas... fsck that. Nevermind Fitzgeralds statement that they had plenty of sand & grit for outside the stadium.

Why don't these games just go ahead behind closed doors?

Digifriendly

Trojan wrote: »

Why don't these games just go ahead behind closed doors?

No. of reasons I guess:
(1) Presumably tickets bought would be refunded so no financial benefit to clubs if game went ahead without spectators.
(2) Negates home advantage as no crowd there to support home side.
(3) Players would obviously prefer to play in front of a crowd at a later date than before a few dozen players/officials from both clubs.

Depp

This beeing cooped up in the house with no rugby is gonna kill me!

Trojan

Digifriendly wrote: »

No. of reasons I guess:
(1) Presumably tickets bought would be refunded so no financial benefit to clubs if game went ahead without spectators.
(2) Negates home advantage as no crowd there to support home side.
(3) Players would obviously prefer to play in front of a crowd at a later date than before a few dozen players/officials from both clubs.

1) Tough luck Still get tv revenues. But this is the actual reason they won't play them.
2) Tough luck again
3) Players at high level are well used to playing in front of tiny crowds, e.g when playing for A teams etc. Also I'm sure the players want the game time just as much.

ScrubsfanChris

Depp wrote: »

This beeing cooped up in the house with no rugby is gonna kill me!

Leicster v. Wasps is on Sky Sports now.

thomond2006

Edinburgh v Cardiff is on S4C (KO 6:30pm) if anyone's interested.

Digifriendly

Trojan wrote: »

1) Tough luck Still get tv revenues. But this is the actual reason they won't play them.
2) Tough luck again
3) Players at high level are well used to playing in front of tiny crowds, e.g when playing for A teams etc. Also I'm sure the players want the game time just as much.

I take your points. However the choice here suggested is behind closed doors with only a few watching or rearranged with a decent crowd. I know which I would prefer if I was a player.

toomevara

Depp wrote: »

This beeing cooped up in the house with no rugby is gonna kill me!

Just realised its been over a month since i've been to a game...got to be an (unwanted} record...bloody awful, if i ever see feckin' snow again it'll be too soon.