RUGBY NEWSMUNSTER HAVE returned 2,500 tickets to ERC ahead of Sunday's Heineken European Cup semi-final against Saracens at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The Irish province has sold 12,000 tickets through official channels while Saracens managed to dispense 8,000 to their supporters.
All remaining tickets are now on general sale through ticketmaster.co.uk and from the ticket office at the Ricoh Arena. The stadium's capacity is 32,000.
London Irish sold 11,000 for their semi-final with Toulouse on Saturday but the French club will only bring about 1,000 supporters to Twickenham. As of yesterday evening only 22,000 tickets had been sold and it seems now that ERC's decision just to open the bottom tier (34,000) at Twickenham was a prescient one.
Munster coach Declan Kidney will be in a better position to confirm the fitness of the injured trio of Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Marcus Horan following today's training session in Limerick. At that point Kidney will announce an extended squad for Sunday's semi-final at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
A Munster spokesperson confirmed: "We'll have a more definite picture on the injuries after all three players have trained but at this point it's looking good. The players will take a full part in training."
O'Gara hasn't played since retiring injured in a Magners Celtic League game against Leinster at the RDS with a damaged knee. O'Connell was due to play at the weekend but withdrew because of a minor back strain while Horan is also troubled by a back problem.
Meanwhile, Leinster have confirmed the signing of 25-year-old Auckland Blue utility back Isa Nacewa on a two-year deal. Coach Michael Cheika enthused: "We are delighted that Isa has agreed to commit his future to Leinster. Isa has a wealth of experience at Super 14 level and he is an exciting player with a strong work ethic and I am confident that he will fit into the culture of the province.
"Isa is a top-class attacking player whose versatility as either a midfield or back-three player makes him a threat as an out and out try scorer, as well as a playmaker in his own right. He will add great depth to our backline for next year and he will also increase our kicking options. He will be a great addition to our squad and we look forward to his arrival in the summer."
Nacewa's route to becoming an All Black has been blocked - he came on for two minutes as a replacement for Fiji in the 2003 World Cup - so he has decided to broaden his rugby horizons.
Born in New Zealand, Nacewa first gained provincial selection as a 20-year-old. He made his Blues debut in 2005 against the Highlanders and has won 54 caps for Auckland and 40 caps for the Blues.
RUGBY FIXTURES
FRIDAY
European Challenge Cup semi-final: Worcester v Newcastle, (8.0). Magners Celtic League: Ospreys v Dragons, Liberty Stadium (7.35).
SATURDAY
Heineken European Cup semi-final: London Irish v Toulouse, Twickenham (3.0). European Challenge Cup semi-final: Bath v Sale, (12.30).
Representative: Leinster A v Enisei STM Russia, Donnybrook (4.0).
Junior Interprovincial: Leinster v Munster, Malahide (2.30).
McCorry Cup final: Dublin University v Lansdowne, Donnybrook (2.0).
SUNDAY
European Cup semi-final: Saracens v Munster, Ricoh Arena, Coventry (3.0).
