Supporting Munster is a costly hobby

Over 26,500 tickets have already been sold for Munster's final Pool Four encounter against NEC Harlequins at Twickenham next Saturday, surpassing the previous pool record of 23,463 that showed up for last year's Leinster and Cardiff Blues match at Lansdowne Road.

However, some Munster rugby fans have been forced to pay more for tickets than opposing fans. Tickets were available to Harlequins fans at a reduced rate of Stg£20, with Munster fans forced to pay £10 more. Factor in the booking fees and the average travelling supporter is coughing up €47 for a match ticket.

The red brigade are expected to be at their most vocal in the lower West Stand, but, as previous trips abroad have shown, such as the last visit to Twickenham in 2000 for the European Cup final defeat to Northampton, they will infiltrate several other sections of the ground.

All tickets must now be purchased off the Ticketmaster website as the Munster Branch were required to send their allotment back to Twickenham last Friday after only selling 3,500 tickets. Match tickets will be on sale at Gate A at Twickenham Stadium from 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, not leaving much time considering the 1 p.m. kick-off.

Understandably, with this being an official Harlequins home game, their season ticket holders received complimentary tickets, but club members were offered reduced rates.

"Whilst there will be a large contingent of Munster fans at Twickenham, I'm delighted that they will be significantly out numbered by supporters in the famous multi-coloured shirt," said Tony Copsey, NEC Harlequins Managing Director.

Despite this being an irrelevant game for the rest of Harlequins' season, coach Mark Evans is still expected to field a team that merits the occasion with captain Andre Vos returning, while they also need to salvage some pride after last weekend's 58-13, eight-try drubbing in Castres.

The game also has potential knock-on effects for the five Irish players in the NEC Harlequins side. The current contracts of Andy Dunne and the recently capped Gavin Duffy are both up in the summer, while Jeremy Staunton, Simon Keogh and Mel Deane all have another year to run.

One item not evident at Twickenham come Saturday will be the giant-sized Munster supporters club flag that caused so much consternation in Thomond Park last Saturday night. Supporters Club chairman Tony McGrath is yet to hear a response from the ERC to the letter he sent regarding the decision of the competitions event managers, Octagon, to remove the flag before the Neath-Swansea Ospreys match. "I was hopping mad on the day," said McGrath. "I met Derek McGrath (ERC chief executive) while trying to retrieve the flag after the game. He apologised to me on the day and even helped me put the flag back in the bag."

McGrath believes a mix-up in communication led to the removal of the giant "red army" flag as another flag with the Munster sponsors name on it was told to be removed on sight. "It will not be brought to Twickenham as it is too big to travel abroad," said McGrath.

More will become known on the condition of Rob Henderson today when he receives a scan on his cheekbone. It's already known he will not require surgery. A 25-man Munster squad will be named today.

Ulster coach Mark McCall has intimated that he intends to "utilise resources" for Sunday's trip to Cardiff as their attentions switch to a strong finish in the Celtic League. The decision is motivated by the fact they only have a five-day turnaround before the vital league clash against the Ospreys. Tyrone Howe is ruled out through injury.

Connacht are sweating on the availability of several frontline players ahead of their Challenge Cup quarter-final return leg against Grenoble this Saturday at the Sportsground. Matt Lacey and Matt Mostyn were late withdrawals before last Friday's 26-21 victory. Both have hamstring injuries, with Lacey the major doubt.

Captain Andrew Farley and John Muldoon also went off injured, but are both expected to recover in time. David Slemem and Paul Neville will also come into contention after playing club games over the weekend

Leinster will select their team tomorrow and reported a clean bill of health with Leo Cullen - who was replaced by Aidan McCullen against Bath - expected to recover from a virus.

Boyle Sports have installed Leinster as second favourites, behind Toulouse, to win this year's Heineken European Cup. Munster are third favourites alongside Biarritz on 5 to 1, while Leicester have gone back out to 10 to 1 after their defeat to Biarritz over last weekend.

EUROPEAN CUP BETTING

Toulouse 3/1, Leinster 9/2, Munster 5/1, Biarritz 5/1, Stade Français 7/1, Leicester 10/1, Wasps 16/1, Perpignan 20/1, Newcastle 33/1, Castres 50/1, Gloucester 50/1, Northampton 50/1, Dragons 100/1.