Munster will switch their Heineken Cup quarter-final home tie against Perpignan from Thomond Park to Lansdowne road with tournament organisers European Rugby Cup (ERC) to confirm venues and times for all ties tomorrow.
A spokesperson for the Munster branch confirmed to ireland.com today that the switch to IRFU headquarters will go ahead. A decision was made between all the provinces at committee level before the start of the season that any home fixture in European competition involving an Irish team would be played in the capital.
Although Munster’s proud home record at "Fortress Thomond" speaks for itself it makes commercial sense to move from the 13,500 capacity ground to Landsowne Road which holds just under 50,000 (49,250) for rugby matches. The move that will be worth in the region of €500,000 to the province.
Leinster, meanwhile, face the daunting task of taking on current European champions Toulouse in their own backyard after the province qualified as one of the two best runners-up to take the eighth and final seeding.
Driven by their inspirational captain Brian O’Driscoll, Leinster had to beat Bath in their final Pool Five match at the Rec yesterday to advance to the knockout stages. By winning 35-23 Michael Chieka’s men also secured a bonus point to finish one point behind Bath, who won the Pool with 23 points.
Munster topped Pool One when they destroyed Sale 31-9 in Limerick on Saturday to ensure the home fixture.
The quarter-finals have been scheduled for the weekend of March 31st-April 2nd.
