Leinster branch selling tickets at half price

IRELAND v ARGENTINA NEWS:THE LEINSTER Branch is selling tickets for Ireland's Test match against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday at €45, half of the face value, €90. The tickets are available from the Leinster rugby store in Donnybrook.

A spokesperson for the Leinster Branch confirmed the decision was taken on the basis of shifting tickets returned from clubs and schools.

The IRFU aren’t in a position to replicate this gesture because at the time of the initial furore that arose over their pricing structures and packages for the four-Test November series, the union stated that they would not reduce ticket prices.

They did confirm a change in policy at the time, explaining that the provinces, clubs and schools would not be penalised in terms of future allocations for any unsold tickets.

However, given they had already sold tickets for those matches any change in the pricing structure would have necessitated doling out refunds.

The IRFU promised to review their pricing and package structures after the November Tests so those who look to try to purchase tickets for the Argentina game on the website (www.irishrugby.ie) will be asked to pay the full price or double what the Leinster Branch are charging.

There are no administration fees or additional costs in purchasing from the Donnybrook store.

Supporters must go to the store to avail of the €45 ticket price as it is not available on line.

While this latest development will be welcomed by those who purchase the cut-price tickets, it’s unlikely to sit as well with supporters who paid the full €90; or in the case of those who bought a New Zealand/Argentina ticket package, €190.

It throws up the potential for two supporters sitting side-by-side in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, one having paid twice as much as his neighbour for a seat.

Elsewhere, Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin may have to plan without lock Johann Muller and number eight Robbie Diack for Friday night’s Magners League game against Benetton Treviso at Stadio Communale di Monigo.

Muller suffered a neck injury in an excellent away win over Cardiff and was forced to retire in the first half while Diack sustained a badly sprained ankle and also failed to finish the match.