Rugby:Champions Leinster will kick-off the Heineken Cup quarter-final weekend in April when they host Clermont Auvergne in the only Friday night game, while Munster's date with Northampton at Thomond Park has a 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday.
Leinster will take on the French side on Friday, April 9th at 8pm with the game almost certain to be played at the RDS as opposed to a potential switch to Croke Park.
On a busy Saturday afternoon Connacht will kick-off the action when they host Bourgoin at the Sportsground (1pm) in the first Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final. Attentions then return to the Heineken Cup when Biarritz host Ospreys at 3pm Irish time.
At 5.30pm Munster will take on Northampton in Limerick in what will be a re-match of last weekend’s final Pool 1 game, which the 2006 and 2008 champions won 12-9.
The last quarter-final is an all-French affair that will see three-time champions Toulouse host Stade Francais on Sunday (4.30pm).
In terms of tickets none will go on public sale for the Munster game. “Aside from contractual commitments Munster Rugby will distribute all tickets through the Munster rugby clubs, the Munster rugby supporters club and 10-year tickets holders,” according to a spokesperson for the Irish province.
It was further pointed out there will be a reduced number of tickets available for the match under competition rules because of an increased allocation to Northampton, in this case, and the tournament organisers, ERC.
There is however a limited number of hospitality packages for the quarter-final available to purchase. The Saints are entitled to roughly 6,500 tickets, which represents a quarter of the 26,000 capacity at Thomond Park.
There is a similar scenario for Leinster, who has 11,200 season ticket holders. This along with a commitment to provide the French side with 4,625 (the Dublin venue has a capacity of 18,500) as well as ERC’s allocation virtually guarantees that no tickets will go on public sale.
Connacht’s game will definitely stay at the Sportsground. “We managed to get 6,500 in the past for the Harlequins game and I am sure there will be a similar demand for this match,” said Gerry Kelly, Connacht Rugby chief executive.
Kelly doesn’t expect Bourgoin to take up their full allocation but there will be no underestimating the French club as they reached the final last season before losing to Northampton.
Heineken Cup Quarter-Final Details
Friday, April 9th
Leinster Rugby v ASM Clermont Auvergne (8pm)
(Sky Sports)
Saturday, April 10th
Biarritz Olympique v Ospreys (3pm)
(Sky Sports)
Munster v Northampton Saints (5.30pm)
(Sky Sports)
Sunday, April 11th
Toulouse v Stade Francais Paris (4.30pm)
(Sky Sports)
Amlin Challenge Cup Quarter-Final Details
Saturday, April 10th
Connacht v Bourgoin (1pm)
(Eurosport)
Toulon v Scarlets (8pm)
(FR4)
Sunday, April 11th
London Wasps v Gloucester Rugby (2pm)
(Sky Sports)
Newcastle Falcons v Cardiff Blues (3pm)