Rugby/ European Cup Semi-final: Biarritz's 11-6 quarter-final win over Sale Sharks in San Sebastian yesterday increases the likelihood of the Leinster-Munster semi-final being held on Sunday, April 23rd, and not 24 hours earlier.
A decision on the dates is expected to be confirmed today but the expectation is that French television will commandeer the Biarritz semi-final for the Saturday, and history has taught us French TV caries more weight than Irish.
Leinster and Munster can expect to distribute about 22,000 tickets apiece for the semi-finals, but there is little chance of any tickets going on public sale, with supporters' clubs and clubs being prioritised.
The ERC will hold back 9,000 tickets to begin with and seek to satisfy their sponsors and corporate hospitality before releasing further tickets. This will still leave the Munster Branch with the headache of satisfying less than half the estimated 45,000 supporters they accommodated on Saturday at Lansdowne Road.
"The supply will come nowhere near to satisfying the demand," said a Munster spokesperson.
Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson admitted, "Logistically, it will be the most difficult operation we've ever had to manage."
The pity is Croke Park's 80,000 capacity is unavailable. These will be the hottest tickets in town.
