Lansdowne Road to host Heineken Cup final

Lansdowne Road will stage this season's Heineken Cup final, tournament officials said today.

Lansdowne Road will stage this season's Heineken Cup final, tournament officials said today.

The Dublin 4 venue hosted the 1999 European final between Ulster and Colomiers.

"The 1999 final was a magnificent, vibrant and special occasion, and everyone is looking forward to a repeat of that," said Jean-Pierre Lux, chairman of European Rugby Cup (ERC).

"Dublin will be a very fitting venue, and we expect a sell-out crowd," said ERC chief executive Derek McGrath. Twickenham was also considered as a venue for the May 24th showpiece.

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The decision is certain to give provincial representatives - notably Leinster and last season's runners-up Munster - an extra incentive to reach the final.

English champions Leicester will be bidding for their third-successive European title and kick off the defence of their crown at Welsh club Neath on Friday week.

A total of 24 teams will again contest the Heineken Cup, including five tournament newcomers - Sale, London Irish, Bristol, Beziers and Viadana.