The ERC have confirmed that the European Cup will break new ground at the quarter-final stages this season after approval was reached for Biarritz Olympique to switch their tie with Munster on Sunday, April 3rd, to Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian, Spain (kick-off 4pm local time).
As Real Sociedad's ground can cater for a crowd of 32,000, compared to Biarritz's 12,667 capacity at Parc des Sports Aguilera, this will increase the number of tickets available to Munster fans from 3,200 to at least 8,000 tickets and is likely to attract the biggest rugby union crowd ever witnessed in Spain.
The French club plan to create a carnival atmosphere for the European rugby weekend and are inviting Munster fans to view the Leinster v Leicester Tigers and Stade Français v Newcastle Falcons quarter-finals on big screens in their home ground in Biarritz. Shuttle buses are being organised to transport fans from Biarritz to and from San Sebastian.
Derek McGrath, ERC chief executive, said: "We are delighted the game will be played at Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian and commend Biarritz Olympique on the move. Where possible, we encourage teams to play Heineken Cup quarter-finals in larger grounds and the first weekend in April should see over 120,000 fans attend the four games."
Tickets for the game will be available from the two clubs and information on how to get to the ground and buy tickets will be available on the official ERC website, ercrugby.com.
EUROPEAN CUP QUARTER-FINALS (All kick-offs local time) FRIDAY, APRIL 1st (8.30): Toulouse v Northampton Saints, Le Stadium, Toulouse (TV: Sky Sports). SATURDAY, APRIL 2nd (4.0) Stade Français Paris v Newcastle Falcons, Parc des Princes, Paris (TV: Sky Sports). 5.15 - Leinster v Leicester Tigers, Lansdowne Road. (TV: RTÉ / Sky Sports). SUNDAY, APRIL 3rd (4.0): Biarritz Olympique v Munster, Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian (TV: RTÉ / Sky Sports).
