At last, the WRU speak up about Friday night games

As it seems, Wales always get the crappy end of the stick when games are moved around to suit the TV companies, it's probably because we are a rugby mad country and the TV executives know that the Welsh fans will by hook or crook go and support Wales anywhere, anytime. 

Wales have played 6 out of the 7 matches played on a Friday night in the 6N, and we have another one next year against Ireland, but after next year it looks as though the scheduling is up for discussion and Gareth Davies wants more countries to bear the load, not just us Welsh.

Welsh Rugby Union set to take tougher stance on staging Friday night Six Nations matches.

Wales have hosted six of the seven Six Nations matches on Friday night, but WRU boss Gareth Davies says it's time others shared the load

Wales playing Six Nations matches on a Friday night could become more of a rarity, with the Welsh Rugby Union set to harden its stance on the controversial time slot.
Warren Gatland’s side take on France at Principality Stadium on Friday (kick-off, 8.05pm), having hosted six of the seven matches played on a Friday thus far.
While there is evidence to suggest fans would rather a Friday night to a Sunday afternoon, Saturday remains the overwhelming preference.
WRU chairman Gareth Davies has said that after next year’s tournament, during which Wales are set for a Friday clash with Ireland, the union will look for other countries to host a larger share of games on that day.
“Everyone has to accept that the days of all matches being played on a Saturday afternoon are gone,” Davies told The Guardian.
“The television deal means matches on Fridays and Sundays are here to stay because the ratings are high.
“We have twice canvassed the opinion of our member clubs and they prefer Friday night matches to Sunday afternoon. We have France next Friday and we play Ireland at that time next year.
“After that, the television schedule will be up for discussion and our view is that everyone has to bear the load. More hands need to go up.”
Davies stressed that the priority for the WRU was to ensure supporters can get to and from Cardiff city centre safely and conveniently on Friday nights when matches are staged.
“We appreciate that Friday is the busiest commuter day of the week and there have been public transport issues after matches in Cardiff,” said Davies.
“We have worked hard with various authorities to resolve this and things went more smoothly during the World Cup when more trains were put on.
“The paying public is a priority for us and we put a huge amount of effort in to ensure people can get into and out of the city with a minimum of inconvenience.”
England and Ireland have cited commuter traffic problems as a reason for not staging Friday night matches, though England played at Twickenham at that time during the World Cup.
Italy and Scotland have voiced fears that attendances would drop if they were forced to play on Friday.
France have played one match in Paris in the slot – against Wales in 2009.

I thought previous boss Roger Lewis was one of those who had pushed for Friday night games?

I'd love a Friday night game at Murrayfield. Take the day of work on Friday and get over to Edinburgh for lunch and work my way down rose street to the stadium... perfect.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I'd love a Friday night game at Murrayfield. Take the day of work on Friday and get over to Edinburgh for lunch and work my way down rose street to the stadium... perfect.

Me too, plus it would get the depressing result out of the way so we can enjoy the rest of the weekend!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I'd love a Friday night game at Murrayfield. Take the day of work on Friday and get over to Edinburgh for lunch and work my way down rose street to the stadium... perfect.

Me too, plus it would get the depressing result out of the way so we can enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Are you both sure? I thought it was only Wales fans who were rugby mad, and TV execs should know that by hook or crook only they would go to watch their team play, anywhere, anytime?!

Rest of us are fairweather Saturday afternoon types

BamBam wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I'd love a Friday night game at Murrayfield. Take the day of work on Friday and get over to Edinburgh for lunch and work my way down rose street to the stadium... perfect.

Me too, plus it would get the depressing result out of the way so we can enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Are you both sure? I thought it was only Wales fans who were rugby mad, and TV execs should know that by hook or crook only they would go to watch their team play, anywhere, anytime?!

Rest of us are fairweather Saturday afternoon types

Child permitting I don't mind getting across to Edinburgh anyway to watch the pro12 on a Friday night. Even if I don't get across I try to watch some kind of rugby on the Telly on a Friday night.

Dunno what the problem is TBH.

And wasn't it the WRU who pushed and pushed for Friday night?
And you know I have never seen any other nations fans traveling to watch there team unless it's a Saturday 3pm ko. I wish Ireland fans were more open to supporting their team no mater what time ko is

I would much rather a Friday night than a Sunday afternoon game.

carpet baboon wrote:And wasn't it the WRU who pushed and pushed for Friday night?
And you know I have never seen any other nations fans traveling to watch there team unless it's a Saturday 3pm ko. I wish Ireland fans were more open to supporting their team no mater what time ko is

It was specifically Lewis that wanted it.

I'm not opposed to a Friday night game.quite like them to be honest.

carpet baboon wrote:I'm not opposed to a Friday night game.quite like them to be honest.

The transport infrastructure is sadly lacking to handle it in South Wales.

Wait I thought Sundays were the problem for Welsh teams?!?!

munkian wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:And wasn't it the WRU who pushed and pushed for Friday night?
And you know I have never seen any other nations fans traveling to watch there team unless it's a Saturday 3pm ko. I wish Ireland fans were more open to supporting their team no mater what time ko is

It was specifically Lewis that wanted it.

I know he did,I was just responding to LWs phrasing to make it sound like Wales were ganged up on and forced to play on Friday night.

munkian wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:I'm not opposed to a Friday night game.quite like them to be honest.

The transport infrastructure is sadly lacking to handle it in South Wales.

I agree with that. I remember the Friday night game against Fiji that ended 11 all. Terrible game to sit through then horrific journey home on the train. No buffet car at all. It was like a cattle cart.

OK then, so when you lot get them, after next year, there will be no moaning about trying to catch the last train home before the other 20,000 people rock up to the train station with the same idea.

Another thread ruined by childish remarks. Could have been a good adult discussion about issues people have faced with London/South West train services, flights into Cardiff on the weekend, the problem (for some perhaps) with taking a day off work, etc. Hey ho. Let's move on to the next one.

Griff wrote:Another thread ruined by childish remarks.  Could have been a good adult discussion about issues people have faced with London/South West train services, flights into Cardiff on the weekend, the problem (for some perhaps) with taking a day off work, etc.  Hey ho.  Let's move on to the next one.

Still can be, hardly ruined...

munkian wrote:

Griff wrote:Another thread ruined by childish remarks.  Could have been a good adult discussion about issues people have faced with London/South West train services, flights into Cardiff on the weekend, the problem (for some perhaps) with taking a day off work, etc.  Hey ho.  Let's move on to the next one.

Still can be, hardly ruined...

OK. Love your optimism.

Apparently, it's not a problem for some, but guess what ? The people on here saying it is not a problem, have never had to put up with it. Oh the irony.

LordDowlais wrote:OK then, so when you lot get them, after next year, there will be no moaning about trying to catch the last train home before the other 20,000 people rock up to the train station with the same idea.

To be fair both Radge and myself, the two Scottish posters who responded favourably to the idea, both live pretty close to Edinburgh (in my case I can actually walk to Murrayfield). I appreciate that it's far harder to those living further afield to deal with a Friday evening game as opposed to Saturday/Sunday afternoon. Coming from the likes of Inverness/Aberdeen you'd probably have to stay the night in Edinburgh, but there's plenty of accommodation I suppose in Edinburgh for those who want to make an evening of it.

As a rail employee there are extra trains between Swansea-Cardiff-London, Cardiff -Swansea before and after the game when Wales play in Cardiff. I don't know about the Valleys services or up to Glouscester and there's definelty no extra trains down to Carmarthen/ deepest darkest west Wales..

funnyExiledScot wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:OK then, so when you lot get them, after next year, there will be no moaning about trying to catch the last train home before the other 20,000 people rock up to the train station with the same idea.

To be fair both Radge and myself, the two Scottish posters who responded favourably to the idea, both live pretty close to Edinburgh (in my case I can actually walk to Murrayfield). I appreciate that it's far harder to those living further afield to deal with a Friday evening game as opposed to Saturday/Sunday afternoon. Coming from the likes of Inverness/Aberdeen you'd probably have to stay the night in Edinburgh, but there's plenty of accommodation I suppose in Edinburgh for those who want to make an evening of it.

In my experience hotels in the respective Capitals double room costs and you have to book for at least 2 nights. You may do better with smaller B'n'Bs

LordDowlais wrote:OK then, so when you lot get them, after next year, there will be no moaning about trying to catch the last train home before the other 20,000 people rock up to the train station with the same idea.

I won't be complaining no. But you do realise that as other countries will be hosting the Friday night game that will lead to Wales playing away on a Friday night, will that not be worse for the welsh fans? Or is one way Friday night game every few years OK?

And a quick question about the infrastructure, drove to the Ireland vs Canada game during the world cup, and they did the shuttle bus from ccfc to the stadium. Is that something they do for every international? As I found it bloody well organised and a breeze compared to other park and ride stuff offered elsewhere

carpet baboon wrote:I won't be complaining no. But you do realise that as other countries will be hosting the Friday night game that will lead to Wales playing away on a Friday night, will that not be worse for the welsh fans? Or is one way Friday night game every few years OK?

First question, getting to my hotel room in Dublin or Edinburgh or Paris or Twickenham on a Friday night will not be the same as trying to get a train/bus home from Cardiff on a Friday night.

second question, yes one Friday night game every few years will be ok, but at the moment we are getting them every friggin year.

carpet baboon wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:OK then, so when you lot get them, after next year, there will be no moaning about trying to catch the last train home before the other 20,000 people rock up to the train station with the same idea.

I won't be complaining no. But you do realise that as other countries will be hosting the Friday night game that will lead to Wales playing away on a Friday night, will that not be worse for the welsh fans? Or is one way Friday night game every few years OK?

I think a sharing out of the Friday games would be best. I get the point that our chief exec might have wanted it, but not sure he speaks for the whole nation, or the travelling fans from other nations. Therefore, perhaps the 'fairest' way might be to each take a turn. Travelling away to the odd Friday game wouldn't be so bad. Having 85% of the Friday games is perhaps a bit lopsided. If, that is, they have to televise Friday night games at all?

LordDowlais wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:I won't be complaining no. But you do realise that as other countries will be hosting the Friday night game that will lead to Wales playing away on a Friday night, will that not be worse for the welsh fans? Or is one way Friday night game every few years OK?

First question, getting to my hotel room in Dublin or Edinburgh or Paris or Twickenham on a Friday night will not be the same as trying to get a train/bus home from Cardiff on a Friday night.

second question, yes one Friday night game every few years will be ok, but at the moment we are getting them every friggin year.

I agree it should be shared round, every gets there fair share, make for good weekends I reckon

Friday night games are great   …….IF you live in CARDIFF or are a visiting supporter and are staying over for a couple of nights

The first Wales v France game fell near my birthday, so I thought rather than

A) Run out of the stadium at the final whistle to get my last bus home (my village is not served by rail)
B) Get an expensive taxi
C) Impose myself on friends in Cardiff
I’d book myself & herself in to a hotel for the NIGHT. Couldn’t book online as a message came up ‘contact the hotel’, so I did. Normal tariff was £125, but they had a special 6 Nations price = £200. Just as I was recovering from that, the knife was twisted – “It is a minimum 2 night stay sir”

So I booked a taxi, which due to the horrendous traffic (Lack of late-ish night, 11:30, public transport infrastructure outside Cardiff) was 45 minutes late arriving at 00:15, we then took 1h 20 mins to get the  12 miles home. I would imagine it’s even worse for those down West or up North, having to take a day off to get to a HOME game !!

Friday night games ? You can shove ‘em up your *****              

Any one know why it was proposed Initially? Was it at the behest of the BBC? Or a commercial idea from WRU/6nations

I imagine the TV companies have always wanted it.  There was an article in the telegraph when they first started happening which said that the police wouldn't allow it at Twickenham due to the potential impact on London rush hour.  SRU weren't keen because they worried it would affect attendance.

I would be interesting to know if the extra money goes to the hosts or is split evenly.

Edit: sorry, Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/feb/02/six-nations-2011-friday-wales

My question is does it generate more money? A full stadium Friday night is no more filled than a Saturday stadium, ticket prices are the same,so would it really generate any notifiable additional income?

Friday games? Well the broadcasters will pay more. That's the additional money.

HammerofThunor wrote:Friday games? Well the broadcasters will pay more. That's the additional money.

Is that a fact or an assumption?

carpet baboon wrote:

HammerofThunor wrote:Friday games? Well the broadcasters will pay more. That's the additional money.

Is that a fact or an assumption?

Probably assumption as no quotes, but from the article I referenced above (edited to add in)

It is money that influences the scheduling. The BBC pays some £40m a year for the right to screen the Six Nations, a stimulus that sustains the three Celtic unions and nourishes Twickenham, and in return for a sum that increased significantly when it was last renegotiated, the broadcaster wants matches to be staged at its convenience, with its rating highs coming on Saturday evenings and Friday nights, which is why Italy invariably play at the fans' favourite kick-off time of Saturday afternoon. The BBC's contract with the Six Nations ends in 2013.

I wonder if there has been a big increase in viewing figures for the Friday night games, supose its a bit more convenient for the casual fan rather than a sat lunchtime

We are doomed. Last year France v Wales on Friday night. This year France at PS. Next year Ireland at PS. At least we'll be able to buy some feckin tickets for that game instead of having to go to online touts Seatwave, which I refused to do btw.

HammerofThunor wrote:I imagine the TV companies have always wanted it.  There was an article in the telegraph when they first started happening which said that the police wouldn't allow it at Twickenham due to the potential impact on London rush hour.  SRU weren't keen because they worried it would affect attendance.

I would be interesting to know if the extra money goes to the hosts or is split evenly.

Edit: sorry, Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/feb/02/six-nations-2011-friday-wales

Seemed to cope well enough during the RWC, or did that just have extra policing arrangements already made as part of the tournament?

Dontheman2 wrote:We are doomed. Last year France v Wales  on Friday night. This year France at PS. Next year Ireland at PS. At least we'll be able to buy some feckin tickets for that game instead of having to go to online touts Seatwave, which I refused to do btw.

Friday night is a sell out apparently, nothing left at all.

LordDowlais wrote:

Dontheman2 wrote:We are doomed. Last year France v Wales  on Friday night. This year France at PS. Next year Ireland at PS. At least we'll be able to buy some feckin tickets for that game instead of having to go to online touts Seatwave, which I refused to do btw.

Friday night is a sell out apparently, nothing left at all.

Any 6nations at the millennium not been a sell out?

carpet baboon wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Dontheman2 wrote:We are doomed. Last year France v Wales  on Friday night. This year France at PS. Next year Ireland at PS. At least we'll be able to buy some feckin tickets for that game instead of having to go to online touts Seatwave, which I refused to do btw.

Friday night is a sell out apparently, nothing left at all.

Any 6nations at the millennium not been a sell out?

Not that I am aware of. So as long as that keeps happening, Wales will probably keep having them.

LordDowlais wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Dontheman2 wrote:We are doomed. Last year France v Wales  on Friday night. This year France at PS. Next year Ireland at PS. At least we'll be able to buy some feckin tickets for that game instead of having to go to online touts Seatwave, which I refused to do btw.

Friday night is a sell out apparently, nothing left at all.

Any 6nations at the millennium not been a sell out?

Not that I am aware of. So as long as that keeps happening, Wales will probably keep having them.

I'm lost. If the stadium keeps selling out for a Friday night fixture, it is clearly desirable so what's your gripe?

It's inconvenient for you? Clearly not so for the 78 thousand that buy tickets...  

Along with the 4th autum international. But at least the WRU hasn't scheduled an autumn international in the USA, don't get me wrong I'm planning on going,but still seems nuts to go to Chicago to play the all blacks

There's been a load of bollix said around Friday night games... I remember the first being branded that the French wanted it, yet after that it seemed it was only Wales who had them...

It was seen as a money spinner by Roger Lewis, and he kept spinning yarns about them being wanted by France, wanted by the fans, enjoying the spectacle, etc...

The fact is, unless you live in Cardiff or a visiting fan, they are a nightmare to get to and worse to get home from. Friday night games are not wanted by fans and that goes for Pro12 games as well, as it is difficult to get to from work. I appreciate that there are many people who work shifts and have the same problem on Saturday and Sundays, but the pattern as always been for games on the weekend. I've given up trying to go to Friday night games (home games).

Sunday aren't much better, but that's only as you cant really let your hair down without a hang-over the following day...

Why, all games cant be played on a Saturday I don't know... We know the fixtures would allow it, as we do it for the final weekend.. Every round should be the same, then you get to watch ALL games with your mates..

Because they can get more money by spreading them around.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:It's inconvenient for you? Clearly not so for the 78 thousand that buy tickets...  

It's fine if you live in Cardiff or you are an away fan who is staying in Cardiff, I live 30 miles away from Cardiff, you try getting home on Friday night after a rugby match in Cardiff with about 20/30 thousand other fans trying to do the same thing. 

The last Friday game I went to, we could not get on any of the trains as they were full before we got our turn, I had to phone the misses to pick me and my brother up, she was no very happy, and we walked all the way to the Hilton to be picked up, even then we were stuck in traffic for ages, what usually takes half an hour to travel on the A470 it took us about 2 hrs to get in and out of Cardiff. It was a nightmare.

The thing is, with a Saturday or Sunday afternoon kick off, you have plenty of timne for the fans to disperse and get home, 8pm kick offs on a Saturday are just as bad I would imagine, all this to get more money from the tele.

carpet baboon wrote:Along with the 4th autum international. But at least the WRU hasn't scheduled an autumn international in the USA, don't get me wrong I'm planning on going,but still seems nuts to go to Chicago to play the all blacks

Its actually a smart long term decision. Theres money in playing the one game alone as I think its US Rugby paying for it all trying to tap into the expat/Irish ancestry crowd but its essentially brand building in a large untapped market trying to ignite the interest in the game and being in at the start of it all gives you an edge.

Its also giving the Irish another game against the ABs and hopefully a learning curve for this team

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Wait I thought Sundays were the problem for Welsh teams?!?!

From anywhere further west than Swansea, or in the Mid/North of the country it is not possible to travel to the game and back if it is on a Friday or a Sunday. In truth it is easier to get to the game on a Friday or Sunday from London on public transport. So the infrastructure is an issue.

LordDowlais wrote:Wales always get the crappy end of the stick when games are moved around to suit the TV companies, it's probably because we are a rugby mad country and the TV executives know that the Welsh fans will by hook or crook go and support Wales anywhere, anytime.

Take that up with Roger Lewis, not the TV companies.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Wales always get the crappy end of the stick when games are moved around to suit the TV companies, it's probably because we are a rugby mad country and the TV executives know that the Welsh fans will by hook or crook go and support Wales anywhere, anytime.

Take that up with Roger Lewis, not the TV companies.

He's gone now, and it looks like things will change, hopefully.

Are any of the other sixnations venues setup to deal with a Friday night game either?