Quins and Munster to meet at Twickers

Harlequins’ home Heineken Cup pool game against Munster this season will be staged at Twickenham.

And the tie – scheduled for mid-January – could break the existing attendance for a tournament group fixture of 23,463, which was set last term at Lansdowne Road.

The Rugby Football Union management board today approved an RFU proposal for Twickenham to host the match.

It will be Munster’s first Twickenham visit since 2000, when they lost in the Heineken Cup final to Northampton.

“It was agreed that as a one-off we would host the game, and this is a good example of how the RFU can work together in partnership with the Zurich Premiership clubs,” said management board chairman Graeme Cattermole.

“We are not setting any precedents here, but the tie will attract a sizeable crowd.”

RFU chief executive Francis Baron added: “We first invited Harlequins in July this year to play their Heineken Cup fixture against Munster at Twickenham, and I am delighted to say that they have accepted.”

The competition kicks off on October 22, with reigning European champions Wasps launching their campaign two days later against French challengers Biarritz.