Champions Cup: Leinster and Munster learn semi-final dates

Munster have asked for an initial ticket allocation of 8,000 for their European Champions Cup semi-final against Racing 92 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday April 22nd (kick-off 4.15pm local time/3.15 Irish), although early indications from sources in sports travel estimate that the Red Army could number around 10,000 come the day itself.

However, there seems little doubt that any Munster supporters seeking to attend the game will be able to do so. The Stade Chaban-Delmas has a capacity of almost 34,700 and had Clermont beaten Racing in the quarter-final they would have brought much bigger support than the Parisian club, who are understood to have requested an initial ticket allocation of around 4,000.

Technically, after sponsors and others are taken into account, each of the semi-finalists is entitled to 50 per cent of the vast bulk of match day tickets, but in practice the tournament organisers ask each of the travelling participants for their initial requirements. Each of these will be met.

Bordeaux Begles are the best supported club in the Top 14, and it remains to be seen how many of their supporters might be inclined to attend a semi-final between Racing and Munster. However, in all probability several thousand tickets will ultimately be put on public sale, thus ensuring expatriate Munster supporters will have no difficulty in going to the match as well.

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As for the Leinster-Scarlets semi-final at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday April 21st (kick-off 3.30pm), it is understood that the Welsh region have requested a relatively high initial allocation of 8,000 tickets. When push comes to shove however, it will be surprising if the Scarlets bring that many supporters, in which case some may be returned to be sold by the EPCR and/or Leinster.

Leinster will receive an initial allocation of 36,000 tickets, and after the IRFU’s ten-year ticket holders, Leinster’s season ticket holders (of whom there are 10,000), sponsors and their clubs are expected to account for all of them.

Given the attendance at the Aviva for last Saturday’s quarter-final win over Saracens therefore, it is expected that Leinster’s support will ensure a capacity attendance for this semi-final without recourse to a public sale, and that the ground will be predominantly blue.

Champions Cup semi-finals:

Saturday, April 21st:
Leinster Rugby v Scarlets
Aviva Stadium (Dublin) 3.30
Sky Sports / beIN SPORTS

Sunday, April 22nd:
Racing 92 v Munster Rugby
Stade Chaban-Delmas (Bordeaux) 3.15 (Irish time)
FR2 / BT Sport / beIN SPORTS

Challenge Cup semi-finals:

Friday, April 20th:
Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons
Kingsholm Stadium 7.45
BT Sport / beIN SPORTS

Saturday, April 21st:
Cardiff Blues v Pau
Cardiff Arms Park 1.00
Sky Sports / FR4 / beIN SPORTS