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Leinster have announced that they will play their home matches in the United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup next season at the Aviva Stadium while the RDS Arena undergoes a revamp.
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The URC leaders already play plenty of games a season at the Aviva Stadium, including their recent Champions Cup victories over Leicester Tigers and La Rochelle, but it will become their permanent residence from next season. Games in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship meanwhile will continue to be played at Energia Park, in Donnybrook.
The four-time European champions have also confirmed that matches will also be played at Croke Park next season alongside the Aviva Stadium.
Croke Park is set to host Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints in May, although that is classified as a neutral venue.
Leinster CEO Shane Nolan said about the move: “This a hugely exciting update for everyone associated with Leinster Rugby and we look forward to supporting the RDS in its ambition to regenerate.
“We are very fortunate to be able to relocate to Aviva Stadium, a stadium that we are very familiar with as an organisation and as a supporter base, and where we have enjoyed many brilliant days together. Last Saturday’s win was another one to add to a long list of great days.
“I’d like to put on record my appreciation and indeed the Leinster Rugby Branch’s appreciation to the Boards of the RDS, the IRFU, the FAI and the Aviva Stadium for all their help in facilitating this move and indeed to the GAA for their help in securing Croke Park for a number of games next season.
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“It will be a season like no other, of that there will be no doubt, and while we acknowledge that there will be some inconvenience in any stadium move, we are also very excited to bring a full season of Leinster Rugby matches to venues of the quality of the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park, two of the finest stadia in Europe.
“We very much appreciate in advance the ongoing support of our Season Ticket Holders as we navigate the road ahead during the RDS regeneration and we look forward to an exciting chapter for Leinster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium, and in time, a return to an even better RDS Arena.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Dan has always been as controversial as tea with milk so we were never going to get any definitive answer. So DMac for the win.
8 Go to commentsGoodness. When are the All Blacks and New Zealand commentators going to stop complaining about how they could have won and just try to win next time 😂. In South Africa if you lose you get up and try again. Get over it.
76 Go to commentsHonestly, it doesn’t matter a whole lot. RSA has a ton of experienced talent in its leadership group. I am more interested in who is the new 8 man/8 men and the younger props. The captain may change but the system does not
1 Go to comments“See you in the final” can mean whatever you want it to mean. To me it means that 12 Irish rugby players are a bunch of poeses. See y’all in Pretoria.
127 Go to commentsBen, you are one of the most arrogant and self opionated rugby critics I have ever come across (next to Keohane). I hoped that after SA beating the best ranked teams in the world on their way to the WC (something not done before) that you might have the grace to admit that this is a special team that deserved the accolades coming their way. You have no humility and as has been been already pointed out, merely a troll to attract audience numbers. Count me out in the future.
76 Go to comments‘War of independence’. Such a grand name for a few skirmishes. Where were all the great battles of this ‘war’ ? Smith got goosebumps as he was being emotionally manipulated, another mushroom.
1 Go to commentsFor all those disputing the veracity of Etzebeth’s very public recollections of the Irish players’ comments, I have one question: should we be holding our collective breath in anticipation of a barrage of strenuous denials from the Irish squad? Then again, perhaps not…
127 Go to comments> If the game of rugby is to grow globally, then the rugby Sth Africa play needs to be exterminated. Their performances at World Cup ‘19 & ‘23 were the antithesis to what the game should be. If the World Cup final is the grand spectacle of the game, please no more having to endure the drudgery and insipid ‘style ‘ of play harking back to pre WWII days, where the soulless rugby of the Bok reflected the mindset of a nation. > Gotta agree with Ben Smith, “ the Springboks took the trophy by default, with what might be the most unimpressive escape of all time “.
76 Go to commentsI think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
225 Go to commentsThis is like the “catches win matches" saying in cricket. If ABs were pragmatic and kicked for goal instead of hunting tries, I reckon they win that game with ease. Instead, nearly 6 months later; we have World Rugby's official mouthpiece celebrating their Almost Won the Rugby World Cup trophy. Fine Victory Gentleman! Well-earned!!
76 Go to comments“…the All Blacks nearly won…” is the only phrase you need to concern yourself with relative to this “journalistic” piece. Enjoy your Almost Won the World Cup victory…
76 Go to commentsAw common. Stop winging. There were no errors by officials. It is all recorded. Whose fault was the Cane red card? Or the Savea knock? Maybe the selectors who insisted on making a very average player their captain should be blamed. Something had to give way.
76 Go to commentsThe latest ‘Ireland are arrogant’ attack from one of the two most arrogant rugby nations on earth.
127 Go to commentsWaawaawaaaaaaaa
24 Go to commentsHow does this guy still have a job?
76 Go to commentsSorry bok you can't beat facts, we heard you all crowing how great you thought you were..lol ! We all watched the game, cheatsabeth cheating cost abs a try, only a penalty considering it was cynical and a professional foul, doesn't matter who wrote this because thats how it happened, but you go enjoy your gifting of the cup,
76 Go to commentsCan we talk about the context of how this particular journalist continues to make a living and gets published? Controversy for clicks. Shame on all of us for engaging with these irrelevant opinions.
76 Go to commentsAn astounding article !
76 Go to commentsFrance didn’t lose against New Zeland in 2011, but against Joubert…
76 Go to commentsHahahaha knew the “journalist” just by seeing the headline. Not wasting my time reading it as I know it's just another toxic manifestation of the boks living rent free in this babies head.
76 Go to comments