"The persistence of summer"

“Rugby may have many problems but the gravest is undoubtedly that of the persistence of summer.”

These are the wise words of the ex All Black and inventor of the spin pass, Chris Laidlaw who in so many respects has hit the nail on the head. Despite, the undoubted attractions of the rugby from the Southern hemisphere with its intensity, exceptional skill levels and simple brutality it can not overcome the obstacles of time difference and the quality of the local commentators. Summer is a time of torpor of recuperation for the forthcoming season, it is also a time when followers fall greedily on any news emanating from their club, province or region: when is pre-season training?, the drip of new signings and departures and of course the marketing department trying to drum season ticket sales or selling off the old replica shirts in xs/xxxl. Then thankfully a sign appears a concrete symbol that the new season is close and the days to the start of the season are easy to count. This happens with the publication of the fixtures for the new season. It is then that the ardent fan can at last begin to plan their year, where ideas hatched at a beery barbecue can become reality; the year can now be planned. When are the most significant matches, no-go weekends, or others where you simply can not leave the country or at least choose a hotel that has Sky Sports. The examination of these fixtures takes on the shape of a holy ritual, only shared if at all in secret with your most intimate confidant. This is particularly important if there is a scheme to visit one of Europe’s most glamorous cities for a Heineken Cup match or indeed an international without the presence of your wife/partner.

The conclusion of these discussions bear fruit in the shape of a complete map of the year; a guide that leaves no real room for manoeuvre but published on a need to know basis, the completion of which creates an aura usually associated with the need for a cigarette. Below is a list of the matches that might be considered sacrosanct. It is not designed to be exhaustive yet it does serve to demonstrate the myriad possibilities of the season ahead. It goes without saying that large portions are already conveniently decided: the Six Nations, November internationals, Heineken Cup, knockout phases and the final; respective play-offs and finals. Gloriously this season concludes with the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this adds up to 16 wonderful weeks of rugby already mapped out. But it is then that the “Nitty gritty” begins depending on your team and the competition they play in. Below is a selection of fixtures to look forward to, to savour the anticipation of they are not to be seen as definitive but rather to illustrate the wonderful conundrum of making a choice from such riches.

The Aviva Premiership

Date	Match
15/09	Saracens vs. Leicester
22/09	Leicester vs. Harlequins
29/09	Harlequins vs. Saracens
6/10	Gloucester vs. Bath
3/11	Leicester vs. Northampton
16/02	Harlequins vs. Leicester
23/02	Leicester vs. Saracens
23/03	Exeter vs. Leicester
13/04	Harlequins vs. Bath
04/05	Harlequins vs. Northampton

League form and performance could alter any of these in terms of importance and relevance. As a neutral there is the question of; how will Bath perform? Can Dai Young resuscitate Wasps? What can Redpath and Diamond do for sale in their new stadium? Lyn Jones and London Welsh do they have any chance at all? Will Exeter kick on again and revel in the Heineken Cup? All of this just makes you want the season to start now! But, how can the computer so randomly create a fixture list that involves Leicester with two such potentially vital games in the middle of the Six nations?

The Rabo Direct Pro 12

Given the excitement of the semi’s and the final last season there is a need for the status of the competition for all of the teams involved  to produce their best across the whole of the championship this season.

Date	Match
31/08	Scarlets vs. Leinster
07/09	Ospreys vs. Ulster
14/09	Ulster vs. Munster
29/09	Ospreys vs. Munster
02/11	Ospreys vs. Leinster
21/12	Ulster vs. Leinster
28/12	Edinburgh vs. Glasgow
1/03	Munster vs. Ospreys
29/03	Blues vs. Ospreys
29/03	Leinster vs. Ulster
12/04	Munster vs. Leinster
3/05	Leinster vs. Ospreys

It is a reflection of the great strengths and weaknesses of the Rabo that the top teams tend to name themselves. The Irish provinces are the teams to beat but last season the Ospreys were able to beat them all. This season can Edinburgh use the experience of their journey in the Heineken Cup to make a serious assault on the league; can Glasgow kick on from just being a hard side to beat? Scarlets will need to show that the loss of Coach Nigel Davies is not a fatal wound and can the sleeping giant of the Blues finally rouse itself to actually play like a team? Then there is the intriguing prospect of the “Zebre”, for the sake of the credibility of Italian rugby they need to show that there is another team in Italy, other than Treviso.
The Orange Top 14
With so much glamour and potential in the Top 14 almost of all its matches could be fantastic. Also in such a long season lasting from August 18^th to June 1^st there are certain to be many twists and turns. It is the oldest rugby league competition in the world and the pursuit of the Boucleir de Brennus has a spiritual hold over all of the teams and their fans.

Date	Match
18/08	Perpignan vs. Toulon
31/08	Biarritz vs. Toulouse
29/09	Toulouse vs. Toulon
06/10	Castres vs. Clermont
06/10	Biarritz vs. Toulon
26/10	Clermont vs. Biarritz
30/11	Toulouse vs. Clermont
29/12	Toulon vs. Perpignan
02/03	Bayonne vs. Biarritz
20/04	Paris vs. Racing Metro

There are simply so many great match-ups that it is next to impossible to create a definitive list of must watch games. Any games involving Toulouse has the potential to be a great game or an upset depending on your point of view. Castres can they match last seasons endeavours? Perpignan and Biarritz can they start as badly again? Will the galacticos of Bayonne finally gel and become genuinely competitive? Clermont what will they focus on, can Fofana avoid second season syndrome? Toulon will the jigsaw finally fit together? The possibilities are seemingly endless.
The start of the season cannot come soon enough

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