Leinster get the all-clear to move

European Cup/News: Leinster have successfully applied to European Rugby Cup Ltd (ERC) to stage their home games in this season's Heineken European Cup at Lansdowne Road.

The province is expecting to conclude negotiations with Old Wesley Rugby Club - they have reached agreement with Bective Rangers Rugby and Bective Tennis Clubs - for the redevelopment of Donnybrook.

If Wesley acquiesce, then the Leinster Branch will apply for planning permission that would transform Donnybrook into a 12,000 to 14,000-capacity stadium. No major work is expected to start until the beginning of next season.

Leinster applied to ERC to switch their home matches to Lansdowne Road, the latter venue offering greater seating capacity (Donnybrook has just 1,100 seats) and will also switch their games from Friday night to either Saturday or Sunday afternoons. That decision is to attract supporters throughout the province who were unable to make the Friday night games.

ERC issued the following statement: "ERC responded enthusiastically to the pro-active move by Leinster Lions and their desire to promote the stature of the tournament. However, ERC also had to consider the fairness to all other Heineken Cup participants of any such approval. The ERC Board have confirmed that Leinster Lions can, for season 2003/'04, play their Heineken Cup Pool 3 home matches, against Biarritz Olympique, Sale Sharks and Cardiff Blues, at Lansdowne Road.

"The decision was based on the building work being undertaken at Donnybrook and the lack of any other alternative venue to Lansdowne Road to maximise Leinster Lions' participation in the tournament. However, the approval is on a temporary basis and any request for a continuance after season 2003/'04 would need to be resubmitted to the ERC Board."