Leinster to play Biarritz on a Saturday

Leinster's tradition of playing their Heineken Cup home ties at Donnybrook on Friday nights will not be honoured for their quarter…

Leinster's tradition of playing their Heineken Cup home ties at Donnybrook on Friday nights will not be honoured for their quarter-final meeting with Biarritz.

European Rugby Cup Ltd (ERC) today confirmed that Matt William's side will face the French champions on Saturday, April 12th at 3.30 p.m. but no decision has yet been made on whether the tie will be switched to Lansdowne Road.

The eagerly-awaited clash between Munster and defending champions Leicester, a repeat of last season's Millennium Stadium final won 15-9 by the English club, will take place 24 hours later and will be screened simultaneously on RTE and the BBC with the match due to start at 4pm.

The game is scheduled for Welford Road, but it is understood Leicester directors are considering a possible switch to Leicester City's new Walkers Stadium, which has a considerably greater capacity than Tigers' normal home venue.

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Leicester were crowned European champions at Munster's expense eight months ago.

The final was overshadowed by Neil Back's infamous hand-in-the-scrum manoeuvre which illegally won possession for Leicester and denied Munster dangerous attacking ball five metres from the line with time ebbing away.

England flanker Back's actions went unspotted by French referee Joel Jutge, but Munster supporters have not forgotten his dastardly deed.

The semi-final draw takes place next Monday in order for tournament organisers to look at suitable 20,000-plus venues.

Jean-Pierre Lux, chairman of European Rugby Cup Limited, will make the draw assisted by former Wales, Lions and Llanelli centre Ray Gravell at a Heathrow hotel.

Llanelli will face Perpignan on the Friday night and the Saturday clash of Toulouse and Northampton is scheduled for 1.45pm.

Meanwhile, Leinster are expecting a large turnout for their open training session on Sunday. Williams and his squad have planned a number of basic skills exercises starting at 2pm, which fans can join in

Canterbury rugby are bringing their 'Roadshow' and will distribute mini-rugby balls, the IRB will also have free miniature balls to handout and the Bank of Scotland (Ireland) will have handouts and face painting available.

Supporters are being encouraged to bring cameras because, not only can they be pictured with their Leinster heroes, they can be pictured with Leinster's Celtic League and Guinness Interprovincial trophies. The Heineken Cup will also be a special guest.

Williams and the Leinster team have asked supporters to bring old clean rugby kit along for Romania Rugby Kit Appeal, endorsed by the IRB (www.sosromaniarugby.org).