Leinster move quarter-final clash to Aviva Stadium

Leinster Rugby have announced today that the forthcoming Heineken Cup quarter-final game with Leicester, set for the weekend of 8-10 April, will be played at the Aviva Stadium.

The decision by the Leinster Professional Board, to play the fixture in the Aviva Stadium, was taken in consultation with the Leinster team management and squad. Having won two matches so far this season in the Aviva Stadium against Munster (Magners League) and ASM Clermont Auvergne (Heineken Cup), the Board is confident that this decision will allow the greatest number of Leinster supporters to see the game.

Full ticket details for the eagerly anticipated match will be available in the coming days once the kick-off time and date have been confirmed by the ERC.

Leinster Chief Executive Mick Dawson commented: “I would firstly congratulate the entire team and management on reaching the quarter-finals in what was, arguably, the toughest pool that the province has ever faced.

“To reach the knock-out stages – and achieve a home quarter final draw in the process – is an impressive achievement and due reward, not only for the team, but also for our loyal supporters who have followed the team across Europe at great expense and also established their own reputation as a significant element in the Leinster quest to regain the Heineken Cup. They once again added to this reputation last Friday night when over 1,000 supporters made the trip to Paris and gave wonderful vocal support throughout the game.

“In our two fixtures in the Aviva Stadium to date we have enjoyed two outstanding spectacles with the team having been inspired to victory by close to 100,000 supporters over the course of both games.

“Existing Leinster season ticket holders will be offered the priority option to purchase tickets for this game and information will be circulated shortly. There will also be a range of family packages and junior tickets on public sale.

“We will continue the increasingly popular ‘One Province’ scheme as we do for all of our home matches, a community ticketing initiative designed specifically for underage groups travelling to matches at discount prices.

“We remain committed to our home in the RDS, but given the manner in which our Leinster supporter base has grown in recent years, we believe that we have a duty to cater for as large an audience as possible for special one off matches such as this, which will be a local and international event.

“I would like to thank Martin Murphy and his team for facilitating our plans to play in the Aviva Stadium, a venue which is fast becoming one of the leading arenas in Europe.

“Over the coming days we will finalise competitive ticket prices, mindful of the difficult economic climate and the great commitment of our supporters, both at home and abroad, over recent seasons.”