Scramble begins for cup final tickets

The scramble for tickets for the first all-Ireland final in the Heineken Cup has begun.

The good news for fans of both Leinster and Ulster is that Twickenham has a capacity of 80,000 for the final on May 19th.

The bad news is that all 55,000 tickets which were made available for public sale prior to today are sold out. The last tickets went just after the final whistle yesterday.

Each province will receive 7,500 tickets more while the remaining 10,000 tickets will go to sponsors and for corporate hospitality.

Fortunately for Irish fans London is the best connected city with dozens of travel options.

Aer Lingus, which has 13 flights a day to London, is offering fares from €87.99 on the day of the game, but that flight gets into Heathrow Airport just two hours before the game starts.

Flights with Ryanair yesterday evening started at €92.99 to both London Stansted and London Gatwick. There are also ferry options from Holyhead and Fishguard to choose from.

Irish fans are well used to the ticketing situation for Heineken Cup finals particularly Leinster fans for whom this will be their third final in the last four years.

Leinster emailed season ticket holders and members of the supporters club yesterday evening offering them the opportunity to enter a lottery for tickets.

Season ticket holder and supporters club members should log into their season ticket account before 5pm on Tuesday, enter their payment details and the number of tickets required (maximum four per person). The lottery for tickets will on Tuesday at 5pm.

Approximately 2,500 tickets will be distributed internally via the club network, staff, squad and committees.

Leinster does not envisage tickets going on general sale but may consider this option if season ticket holders have been facilitated.

There are few cases of disappointed fans who turn up on the day looking for tickets.

ERC spokesman Mark Jones said many Irish rugby fans were among the 55,000 tickets who pre bought tickets for the final.

"Anybody from Ulster or Leinster who wants to get there, will find a way," he said.

"You rarely see dyed-in-the-wool supporters missing out. Those supporters who were in the Aviva on Saturday (for Ulster v Edinburgh) and those who were at Clermont won't have trouble getting tickets."