The dates for the European Cup weekends

By The Newshound
June 27 2002

It's that time of the year again when travel plans are put into place for Saints fans wishing to follow the team on their European Cup exploits. Two of this years destinations have a very familiar ring about them.

Saints have been to Biarritz and Cardiff before in recent years on their travels but Ulster is a new destination for them. Ulster are former European Champions who, like Saints, failed to perform in the defence of the trophy in the year after winning the Cup.

Ulster play at Ravenhill in Belfast which will be a new destination for many fans. Of those who went, who can forget the charms of Biarritz in the French Basque country. And Cardiff again, always an attractive destination for any rugby fan.

The dates, announced by European Rugby Cup Ltd this afternoon are;

Oct 11/12/13 Saints v Ulster
Oct 18/19/20 Biarritz v Saints
Dec 06/07/08 Saints v Cardiff
Dec 13/14/15 Cardiff v Saints
Jan 10/11/12 Saints v Biarritz
Jan 17/18/19 Ulster v Saints

The actual day of the game does not have to be decided until 14 days before the match is to be played although the weekends themselves are now fixed by ERC. Remember last year that the away game at Cardiff was on a Friday evening and Montferrand kept moving the date around within the weekend due to television demands.

Further news will appear on this site, together with travel tips, gastronomic advice and where best to get liquid sustenance in each location!