ERC chief backs Lansdowne Road for 2011 Heineken Cup final
ERC Chief Executive Derek McGrath stated in Paris yesterday that a redeveloped Lansdowne Road — which is scheduled to open its doors in April 2010 — would be a fabulous venue to host the most famous club competition in world rugby.
“Ireland has done more than many to have a Heineken Cup final,” said McGrath. “We were there in 2003 and wouldn’t it be great to bring it back to the new Lansdowne Road and have a very special day.”
Speaking at the French Launch for the Heineken Cup, McGrath also said he is delighted that the uncertainty which almost saw French clubs boycott the competition is now a thing of the past.
The huge French media presence at the launch at headquarters of France Televisions underlined the popularity of the Heineken Cup in the country.
“We’re delighted to have that period behind us,” said McGrath, “but it was a period that was a mixed challenge. There were a number of issues but what eventually solved it was the fact that this tournament is very, very special in every country.
“It is a European project, everybody sees value in it and, as we saw here today, the French public and rugby playing side of it see great value in it. They want it to continue, and we now have an opportunity with our contract signed for a minimum of seven years. It’s probably the first opportunity we’ve had in a number of years to say where we are going to be in five or ten years.”
McGrath is also thrilled to have the world’s most famous player, New Zealander Dan Carter, involved in the competition.
Carter begins a six-month contract with Perpignan on December 1 and touches down just in time for rounds three and four of the Heineken Cup.
“Somebody like Carter brings such a level of oxygen to the sport and, obviously in this case, to the Heineken Cup.
“He’s been seen outside of his own shores as a very, very special player. He arrived last week in Perpignan to sign a few papers, was met by television cameras and I think 5,000 people greeted him in the stadium there. He certainly brings a lot of star quality to the tournament.
“The southern hemisphere players like what they see and they want to come here. And they’re now saying they’re coming because of this tournament – that’s a big statement from the tournament in terms of where it’s at. The tournament this year will have players from 24 countries on teams that are participating.”
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