With the notable exception of the Munster v Castres game, the ERC has confirmed the venues for the semi-finals of the European competitions. Lyon was thought to be a possibility for the Munster game but that has since been ruled out and the Stade de la Mediterranee in Beziers now seems certain to host that particular game with the announcement expected later today

The confirmed details for the Heineken Cup and Parker Pen Shield semi-finals are as follows:

2002 HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS. CASTRES OLYMPIQUE v MUNSTER, Saturday, 27 April Venue: TBC. Kick-Off: 3.00pm local time. TV: Live broadcasts on FR2, RTE and ITV Sport.

LEICESTER TIGERS v LLANELLI, Sunday, 28 April Venue: City Ground, Nottingham, Kick-Off: 3.00pm local time TV: Live broadcast on BBC Sunday Grandstand, RTE.

2002 PARKER PEN SHIELD SEMI-FINALS.

LONDON IRISH v PONTYPRIDD, Saturday, 27 April Venue: The Kassam Stadium, Oxford, Kick-Off: 5.30pm. TV: Live broadcast on S4C.

GLOUCESTER v SALE SHARKS, Sunday, 28 April Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton, Kick-Off: 2.00pm.

PLEASE NOTE THAT INFORMATION ON TICKETS FOR ALL THE ABOVE GAMES IS AVAILABLE ON THE ERC WEBSITE, www.ercrugby.com, AND BY CALLING THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS: Ticketmaster UK: 0870 161 1995 (Heineken Cup) 0870 161 1996 (Parker Pen Shield) Leicester Tigers: 0870 1283430 www.tigers.com Llanelli: 0871 8718088 www.scarlets.co.uk London Irish: 0118 968 1000 www.london-irish.com Pontypridd: 01443 405006 www.pontypriddrfc.co.uk Gloucester: 0871 8718781 www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com Sale Sharks: 0871 2220120 www.salesharks.com.

TICKETS FOR THE HEINEKEN CUP FINAL AT THE MILLENNIUM STADIUM ON 25 MAY ARE ON SALE AND CAN BE BOUGHT FROM: WRU Ticket Hotline: 08705 582582 . Ticketmaster UK: 0870 161 1995. Ticketmaster Ireland: 00353 1890 925100