Munster and Northampton unhappy with Friday game

THE European Rugby Cup’s decision to fix Munster and Northampton’s crucial Heineken Cup Pool One showdown for Friday night has been slammed by both clubs.

Thomond Park chiefs have claimed communications with the ERC concerning their difficulties of hosting a major tie on a week night have been ‘ignored’ while the visitors are furious at been forced to play within five days of their clash against Perpignan.

Their forwards coach, the former England prop Dorian West stated: “I can’t understand how, for possibly the two biggest games of our season, we’ve been given a five-day turnaround. It devalues the match for me. But challenges are there to be overcome and it’s down to us to manage our players.”

Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald and Thomond Park stadium manager John Cantwell have written to ERC asking them to avoid arranging their home matches for Friday because of traffic delays on the busiest night in the city.

There were major problems for the first few games at the new stadium although the many contingency plans put into place in the meantime have improved the situation significantly.

“We were especially concerned ahead of the game against Perpignan last month because it was taking place shortly before Christmas,” said Cantwell. “We beefed up the travel arrangements with the Gardaí and the City Council.

“By 7. 50, we had nearly everybody in the stadium and they were all in by kick-off. But we’re not resting on our laurels. We have asked the council to suspend all road works and we are having further meetings tomorrow with the local authorities and the Gardaí.”

Cantwell claimed that the letters written by Fitzgerald and himself to ERC had, “just been ignored. They are blaming Sky TV and I suppose that’s a kind of back handed compliment to Munster. We have stated that we’d settle for a match on each of Friday, Saturday and Sunday but they keep giving us two on Friday and it’s far from satisfactory.”

Supporters planning to attend the game are advised to log onto www. www.irishrail.ie; www.Limerickparkandride.com and www.buseireann.ie for travel details.