Ireland to stage rugby finals

Dublin is to get a major economic boost following a decision by European rugby chiefs to stage both their major cup finals in the capital on the same weekend in 2013.

As Leinster and Ulster prepare to contest the Heineken Cup’s first all-Irish final at Twickenham in London this Saturday, tournament organiser European Rugby Cup announced yesterday that in addition to the showpiece final being staged at the Aviva Stadium on May 18, 2013, the second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup final would be played at the RDS the previous night.

The decision will mark the third year in succession that one city has hosted both ERC finals, with French sides Biarritz and Toulon set to contest the Amlin finale this Friday at Twickenham Stoop.