Rugby:Heineken Cup champions Leinster will continue the defence of their title on Saturday, April 7th when they take on the Cardiff Blues in a quarter-final at the Aviva stadium (5.45pm). The all-Irish clash between Munster and Ulster at Thomond Park is the early kick-off on Sunday, April 8th (1.45pm). ERC confirmed the dates, times and television scheduling for the quarter-finals this morning.

Edinburgh, who are the first Scottish side in the history of the tournament to win a pool, will get the play-off stages of the competition underway when they host Toulouse at Murrayfield on Saturday, April 7th (3pm) while a little over 24 hours later the match between Saracens and Clermont Auvergne at Vicarage Road (4.30pm) will bring the curtain down on the quarter-finals. All four matches will be televised live on Sky Sports.

While Munster will have been relieved to avoid a Good Friday date for their clash with Ulster, and another controversy surrounding pub opening regulations in the city, there had been suggestions the northern province would be unhappy at playing on Easter Sunday, particularly with an early afternoon kick-off.

Munster, the only side to come through the pool stages with a 100 per cent record, don’t expect any tickets for the Irish derby on Easter Sunday to go on general release. Ulster have already confirmed they intend to take up their full allocation and Munster will distribute all tickets they receive from the ERC through the Munster clubs and the Munster Rugby Supporters Club.

Leinster season ticket holders will be able to buy tickets from 2pm this afternoon with the option to add additional seats from next Monday. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 3rd.

Heineken Cup quarter-finals

Saturday, April 7th

Edinburgh v Toulouse, Murrayfield (3.0, live on Sky Sports/FR2/Canal+)

Leinster v Cardiff Blues, Aviva Stadium (5.45, live on Sky Sports/Sport+).

Sunday, April 8th

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park (1.45, live on Sky Sports/Sport+)

Saracens v Clermont Auvergne, Vicarage Road (4.30 live on Sky Sports/FR2)