Lansdowne shortlisted for Heineken semis

THE organisers of the Heineken Cup have shortlisted Lansdowne Road, Villa Park and Le Stadium de Toulouse as venues for the tournament’s semi-finals.

The stadia have been deemed suitable whatever the outcome of the four quarter-final matches, which have yet to be played between April 11 and 13.

European Rugby Cup chairman Jean-Pierre Lux said: "The prime considerations of a semi-final venue are to accommodate a crowd in excess of 20,000, a city to cater in all aspects particularly ease of access and accommodation for the influx of thousands of fans while allowing those travelling supporters the opportunity to plan their trips well in advance."

ERC chief executive Derek McGrath added: "We have chosen three prestigious stadiums for the semi-finals and we have set out to do this well in advance of the actual matches because we have so little planning time just two weeks between the quarter-finals and the semis."

Draw for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals:

Friday, April 11: Llanelli v Perpignan 7.30pm; Saturday, April 12: Toulouse v Northampton 1.45pm; Leinster v Biarritz 3.35pm; Sunday, April 13: Leicester v Munster 4pm.

Draw for the semi-finals is:

Toulouse or Northampton v Leicester or Munster

Leinster or Biarritz v Llanelli or Perpignan.