RUGBY: There was always likely to be a strong whiff of cordite in the air when Leicester and Munster renew hostilities in next April's quarter-finals of the Heineken European Cup, but just to ensure there will be further bite to proceedings a spat has developed between the two protagonists regarding the allocation of match tickets.
Leicester, who retained the trophy last season with a 15-9 defeat of Munster in the final, yesterday confirmed they will host the quarter-final at their own 16,800-capacity Welford Road, having considered moving the match to the 32,000-capacity Walker Stadium, home of Leicester City football club.
Theoretically, this would reduce Munster's 25 per cent allocation of available tickets - as decreed by ERC rules - from a potential 8,000 to just over 4,000.
However, in what seems like a deliberately provocative and antagonistic gesture Leicester also announced - by way of a press release and their own website as opposed to any formal correspondence with either ERC or Munster - that they are only "giving an initial 1,000 tickets to Munster supporters" as first they will be looking after their own season-ticket holders.
If their stance was designed to provoke an angry response from Munster, they succeeded. Garret Fitzgerald, the Munster Branch chief executive, commented: "The Heineken Cup participation agreement, signed by all participants, entitles the visiting team to 25 per cent of all ticket categories. Munster have advised ERC of this fact and have asked them to bring it to the attention of the host club."
Diarmaid Murphy, the ERC media manager, confirmed all participating teams have signed a competition agreement whereby all visiting sides are entitled to 25 per cent of all available tickets and, accordingly, "we've written to Leicester reminding them of this and we'll see where it goes from there".
Coming a day after the draw for the semi-finals of the competition, this is another distraction Munster could have done without in the build-up to their second consecutive Celtic League final on Saturday, when they play Neath at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Coach Alan Gaffney will announce an expanded squad for the assignment today, though it is quite likely that the entire 32-man panel will travel for the final.
It seems utterly safe to presume he will keep faith in the 15 heroes who started and finished the epic 33-6 European Cup win over Gloucester last Saturday week when announcing his starting line-up on Friday.
However, Rob Henderson could be added to the bench after coming through a full 80-minute comeback for Young Munster unscathed last Saturday, all the more so given the injuries which have afflicted Munster's back line options, obliging flanker Colm McMahon to provide cover for the three-quarters.
SATURDAY
Celtic League final: Neath v Munster, Millennium Stadium (2.45).
All-Ireland League (2.30 unless stated): Division One - Ballymena v UCD, Eaton Park; Belfast Harlequins v Dungannon, Deramore Park; Blackrock College v UL Bohemians, Stradbrook; Buccaneers v Terenure College, Ericcson Park; Clontarf v Cork Constitution, Castle Avenue (1.0); Co Carlow v Garryowen, Oakpark; Lansdowne v Shannon, Lansdowne Road; St Mary's College v Galwegians, Templeville Road.
Division Two - Barnhall v Old Belvedere, Pearsonstown; Dublin University v Young Munster, College Park; DLSP v Bective Rangers, Kilternan; Greystones v Dolphin, Dr Hickey Park; Midleton v Malone, Towns Park; Portadown v UCC, Chambers Park; Sunday's Well v Thomond, Musgrave Park.
Division Three - Banbridge v Suttonians, Rifle Park; Connemara v Highfield, Monastery Field; Corinthians v Wanderers, Corinthian Park; Monkstown v Ballina, Sydney Parade; Old Wesley v Naas, Donnybrook; Queen's University v Instonians, Dub Lane; Skerries v City of Derry, Holmpatrick; Waterpark v Clonakilty, Ballinakill.
