Red army invades Dublin ahead of big rugby clash

Dublin is preparing itself for an invasion from the Red Army of Munster today, ahead of this weekend's clash with Leinster.

Tickets for the Heineken European Cup semi-final have changed hands for up to €850 each and hotels were nearly at capacity as rugby fever gripped the capital.

All trains from Munster were booked out on the day of the game and buses are expected to carry thousands of supporters to Lansdowne Road on Sunday to see a match that has captivated the country.

Pub and club owners are also looking forward to a bumper weekend as supporters without tickets watch the clash in watering holes around the city.

Fine Gael sports spokesman Jimmy Deenihan said no stadium in the world was big enough to satisfy the demand for Sunday’s match as bidding on internet auction sites spiralled ever higher.

“I have a real fear ticketless fans will be ripped off by unscrupulous ticket touts outside Lansdowne Road,” he said.

“A cursory glance at the internet auction site eBay highlights just how much fans are willing to pay for a ticket.

“As of lunchtime today, two tickets for the Upper East Stand were sold on the website for €600, an auction ending at 8.45 tomorrow morning for two South Terrace tickets has already reached €810 and media reports this morning highlighted bids of almost €1,800 for another set of tickets.

“As kick-off gets closer and closer, fans without tickets will become more desperate and unscrupulous touts are likely to exploit them outside the stadium on Sunday morning.”