The chief executive of Ulster, Michael Reid, is hopeful that the European Cup (ERC) organisers will permit them to stage next month's semi-final with StadeFrancais at Ravenhill.

Ordinarily the ERC insist that semi-final venues must be able to hold a crowd of 20,000. Ravenhill has a capacity of 15,000.

Yesterday Reid met the ERC to explain how the capacity could be increased to 17,000. Ulster would be loath to give away the obvious advantage ofRavenhill. If their request is turned down, then Lansdowne Road would be the most viable alternative.

English RFU executive Francis Baron has been summoned to Dublin tomorrow to explain to the International Rugby Board (IRB) why English First Division Rugbyhave gone to the European Commission to challenge the IRB's right to run club rugby.