Rugby stadium switch would be a winner

Last Saturday, Leinster became only the second team ever to win back-to-back European Rugby Cup titles.

In doing so, they scored more tries and points than any team has scored in a final in the 17 years of the competition. They won by the highest margin ever in the final. They have now won the trophy three times. They have a 100% success rate in the three finals in which they have appeared.

Only one team surpasses Leinster’s record. Toulouse have appeared in six finals and won four of them.

The attendance at last Saturday’s game in Twickenham was 81,774. The world record for an attendance at a “club” match still stands at 82,208 in the European Cup semi-final in Croke Park in 2009, when Leinster beat Munster.

The Aviva Stadium will host next year’s European Cup final. It has a capacity of only 51,700. The organisers should immediately begin negotiations with the GAA to see if they can rent Croke Park once again. The extra 30,500 seats would increase ticket sales by nearly 60%.

Michael Mernagh

Raheens

Carrigaline

Co Cork