Sky’s no limit for Leinster fans travelling to Marseille

The French air traffic controllers strike due to take place on Thursday, April 16th, to Saturday, April 18th, is not expected to affect scheduled Aer Lingus flights carrying Leinster supporters heading for Sunday week's Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Ordinarily the national airline doesn’t begin flying to Marseille until the summer schedule kicks in from May 7th but to accommodate those travelling to the rugby match, Aer Lingus have one flight going out of Dublin on Saturday morning, April 18th, another on Sunday, the morning of the match, with two flights returning to Dublin that night.

Ryanair have a Marseille flight going out on Saturday morning and returning after the game on the Sunday. Joe Walsh Tours are offering supporters the choice of an overnight trip leaving on the Saturday morning (€474, flights, one night's B&B in the Ibis Hotel (sharing), taxes and transfers.) for which there is limited availability and a day excursion that comes in at €414, taxes and transfers included. Match tickets are extra.

The tour operator is hoping to take 180 supporters to France. As of Wednesday afternoon, Leinster confirmed that they had sold in excess of 500 tickets to season ticket holders and associate members for the Toulon match.

Tickets for the game went on sale through both clubs but are also available to purchase directly from Sunday week’s venue the Stade Velodrome.

The ground underwent a facelift which was completed last summer, with a view to staging matches in the Euro 2016 soccer tournament.