Munster plea to ERC chiefs - no Sale on a Friday

MUNSTER have asked European rugby chiefs not to fix their Round Five Heineken Cup Pool One clash against Sale Sharks on a Friday night.

European Rugby Cup (ERC) bosses will today finalise dates, times and venues for the remaining pool games next month.

However the Heineken Cup champions are anxious not to play at Thomond Park on a Friday night due to traffic congestion which caused chaos prior to the first round clash against Montauban on Friday, October 10.

Munster are due to play Sale on the weekend of January 16-19 and are away to Montauban on January 23.

ERC spokesman John Corcoran last night said that they were considering Munster’s request.

He explained: “The ERC would consult with all the clubs to check if they had any specific venue restrictions for the Heineken Cup pool weekends.

“Munster have indicated that a Friday evening would not be their preferred option.

ERC endeavours to work with the clubs but due to broadcast slots and differing requests from 24 clubs, it is not always possible to meet all the requests which we receive.”

He said that the details of the January games will be announced this afternoon shortly after 2pm.

He continued: “The objective is to ensure that the tournament gets the best possible exposure in terms of live television coverage of the decisive pool matches across the full European weekend. In Round 6, games from the same pool are scheduled to kick-off at the same time.”

Meanwhile an independent disciplinary committee will be convened to consider if any further action is required following the sending-off of Clermont Auvergne lock Jamie Cudmore in the Saturday’s match against Munster on Saturday.

The player was sent off by English referee Chris White in the 18th minute for punching Munster skipper Paul O’Connell. The independent disciplinary committee will be appointed as soon as possible.

Leicester Tigers replacement Harry Ellis is also due to appear before disciplinary bosses following their match against Perpignan at Stade Aime Giral.

The citing lodged by the citing commissioner for the match, Iain Goodall (Scotland), is for an alleged dangerous tackle on Perpignan player Dan Carter in contravention of Law 10.4 (e).