Just the ticket for Munster

MUNSTER Branch officials will meet early next week to discuss the best way of distributing their 4,000 ticket allocation for the Heineken Cup quarter-final with Leicester at Welford Road on April 13.

Munster finally got their way in the demand for a proper allocation when European Rugby Cup Limited announced a deal had been struck with home club Leicester.

Leicester promised Munster no more than 1,000 tickets initially but were quickly brought to heel by ERC. The decision was welcomed by Chief Executive Garret Fitzgerald. “I am happy that the rules and regulations of the competition have been adhered to. Obviously there will still be a problem over here because demand will outstrip the supply.

“We will be meeting very early next week to work out ways to ensure that the genuine supporters are looked after but, one way or another, there will still be a lot of disappointed people. Meanwhile, Munster captain Jim Williams last night got a preview of what to expect next month when he played for the Barbarians against Leicester .

Ironically, the Welford Road fixture doubled as a testimonial match for Neil Back whose illegal action in the dying seconds of last year’s Heineken Cup final in Cardiff put paid to Munster’s hopes of saving the game.