No Heineken Final switch - ERC

There are no plans to switch the Heineken Cup final from Dublin’s Lansdowne Road – even though it involves two French teams.

Fans of Toulouse and Perpignan will make the trip to Ireland on Saturday, May 24, following their respective semi-final victories over Irish sides Munster and Leinster.

“Absolutely not,” was the response from European Rugby Cup Ltd today when they were asked if a switch to a French venue was being considered.

“Last year we had an English team and an Irish team at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and we will be going ahead in Dublin,” said a spokesman.

It means a second successive trip to Dublin for Perpignan fans following Sunday’s victory over Leinster there but the spokesman said: “Perpignan have already said they are absolutely delighted to be returning to Lansdowne Road for the final.”

A final at a neutral venue in France would be a guaranteed sell-out but the ERC spokesman insisted: “We are aiming for a full house.”