Rugby:As expected Leinster's final Heineken Cup Pool Six game against London Irish has been switched from Reading's Madejski Stadium to Twickenham and is largely due to the Berkshire club's involvement in the FA Cup.
Reading are due to face Liverpool in a third-round replay next Wednesday, and while the odds are against the lowly-placed Championship side winning at Anfield, nevertheless the winners of that tie have been drawn at home to Burnley and Reading have informed London Irish that if they were to progress then that fourth round tie will take place at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, January 23rd.
The Exiles would prefer to have hosted their probable pool decider against the European champions at the Madejski Stadium and its 24,100 capacity, but in the circumstances they have little option other than to move the game to Twickenham and negotiations with the RFU are believed to be at an advanced stage.
Almost double that number is now expected at Twickenham for the crunch game which takes place on Saturday, January 23rd with kick-off at 6pm.
“Of course it is a shame that we won’t be able to play at our home ground, the Madejski Stadium, but we are really excited that more people will be able to come and watch what will be a massive match for both clubs,” said London Irish captain and former Leinster player Bob Casey.
“We’re going head-to-head again with a formidable team who share our belief in playing the game in an attacking way and it promises to be 80 minutes of rugby at its best.
"Both sides have really found their form of late so we’re expecting a big crowd for what should be an excellent match.
“Going to Twickenham is always an amazing experience for players and supporters alike and we’re sure that the atmosphere is going to be fantastic.”