With the Heineken Cup knockout stages set to dominate the rugby landscape this weekend, the teams who qualify for the last-four of European club rugby’s elite tournament will play the semi-final matches at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, and at either Twickenham Stadium or Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux.
Following the draw for the Heineken Cup semi-final pairings at the conclusion of the pool stages, tournament organisers ERC have today confirmed the venues and dates for the semi-finals of the tournament.
The winners of Sunday’s intriguing all-Irish quarter-final clash between top seeds Munster and Ulster will play their semi-final at the 50,000-capacity Aviva Stadium on Saturday, April 28.
Munster or Ulster will face the winners of the opening quarter-final between Edinburgh and four-time champions Toulouse.
If current English champions Saracens come through Sunday’s much-anticipated contest with Clermont Auvergne, they will meet the winners of the Leinster v Cardiff Blues game in the semi-final at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, April 29.
However, if Clermont Auvergne defeat Saracens, they will take on either Leinster or the Cardiff Blues at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux.
The Aviva Stadium hosted last season’s Heineken Cup semi-final between Leinster and Toulouse, while two tournament semi-finals have been played before at Stade Chaban-Delmas – Toulouse v Munster in 2000 and Toulouse v Biarritz Olympique in 2004.
Twickenham Stadium, which will stage this season’s Heineken Cup final on May 19, has hosted one semi-final to date when London Irish met Toulouse in 2008.
2011/12 HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS:
Saturday, April 28 –
MUNSTER or ULSTER v Edinburgh or Toulouse, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sunday, April 29 –
Saracens or Clermont Auvergne v LEINSTER or Cardiff Blues, Twickenham Stadium, London, or Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux
Heineken Cup final – Twickenham Stadium, Saturday, May 19 (kick-off 5pm)
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