Munster and Leinster could face-off in Heineken semi-final

ARCH rivals Munster and Leinster will meet in the semi-finals of this season’s Heineken Cup if the Irish provinces are able to overcome their quarter-final opponents in April.

Munster earned a home quarter-final showdown with French aristocrats Toulouse at Thomond Park on the weekend of April 4-6, thanks to a facile 38-6 bonus point victory over a disappointing Edinburgh side before a sell-out crowd at Thomond Park.

The maximum five point haul from the game ensured Munster secured home advantage for their 15th appearance in a Heineken Cup quarter-final appearance in 16 seasons. Home advantage is a major plus at the knock-out stages of the competition as teams playing at home have won 75% of their quarter-final fixtures played over the last 10 seasons.

Should Munster defeat Toulouse, Rob Penney’s men will face an away semi-final with the winners of the quarter-final clash of Toulon and Leinster.

The semi-finals of the Heineken Cup are due to go ahead on the weekend of April 25-27.

Munster have indicated that their quarter-final ticket allocation will be distributed through the province’s rugby clubs and the Munster Rugby Supporters Club.

Should any tickets remain after these allocations have been processed, they will be released to other long term ticket holders and season ticket holders. Toulouse are entitled to 25% of each ticket category, but it remains to be seen whether they take up their full allocation.

Heineken Cup

Quarter-finals (April 4-6)

Ulster v Saracens

Clermont v Leicester

Toulon v Leinster

Munster v Toulouse.

Semi-finals (April 25-27)

Ulster or Saracens v Clermont or Leicester

Toulon or Leinster v Munster or Toulouse.