Munster must wait another two weeks for venue

Barry Coughlan

The French outfit has been desperately searching for a suitable venue in order to cope with the expected demand for tickets for the game and the club has been in negotiations with Real Sociedad to use their ground in San Sebastian which has a capacity of 20,000 more than their own ground at Parc des Sports Aguilera.

In giving the club more time to finalise their arrangements, ERC also announced yesterday they would allocate between eight and nine thousand tickets to Munster fans if the game is moved to the Spanish city.

Meanwhile, Heineken have renewed their sponsorship of European rugby’s major club tournament for another four years.

It had been speculated the brewers might call time on a competition they have supported since 1995, but the new deal will run until 2009, and the 14th Heineken Cup final.

“We are delighted Heineken will continue their association with us until 2009, adding continuity and even greater stability to a tournament that is enjoying unparalleled appeal and success in our 10th anniversary season,” said ERC chairman Jean-Pierre Lux in Dublin yesterday.

Jacco van der Linden, Marketing Manager of Heineken, added: “Over the past decade, Heineken’s involvement as title sponsor has contributed to the growth the tournament enjoys today as the premier club rugby tournament in the Northern Hemisphere. In tandem with this, the sponsorship offers our company in Ireland, France, Italy and the UK a unique opportunity to participate in and contribute to a premium event on a pan-European scale.

“It is a great tournament to be involved in. The excitement and energy synonymous with any Heineken Cup match continues even after the final whistle is blown.”

Heineken Cup action will return in April when the quarter-finals (April 2-4) and semi-finals (April 22-24) will be played. The 10th anniversary final will take place in Murrayfield, Edinburgh, on Sunday, 22 May at 3.00pm.

Close to 25,000 tickets have already been sold for the final.