skip to main content

Leinster set for Croke Park if they defeat La Rochelle

Croke Park will be used by Leinster for a potential Champions Cup semi-final
Croke Park will be used by Leinster for a potential Champions Cup semi-final

The EPCR has confirmed that Leinster will play at Croke Park on the weekend of 3-5 May if they reach the semi-final of the Investec Champions Cup.

It had been expected that Leo Cullen's side would need to play a potential semi at the GAA stadium, with the Aviva Stadium set to be out of action leading up to the Europa League final on Wednesday 22 May.

Last month, the GAA signed off on the 82,300 capacity ground to be used for "rugby and soccer activity" in the coming months, with European rugby's governing body this afternoon confirming it on the list of potential semi-final venues.

With Leinster the top-seed in their half of the draw, the four-time winners are guaranteed to have home advantage should they get past defending champions La Rochelle on Saturday, and would host either Northampton Saints or the Bulls at Croke Park.

GAA HQ previously hosted both soccer and rugby during the Aviva Stadium's redevelopment between 2007 and 2010, with Leinster defeating Munster 25-6 at the venue in the 2009 semi-final (below); the full house was at the time a world record attendance for a club game.

As well as confirming Croke Park, European Professional Club Rugby has also announced the potential venues for the other semi-finals.

If La Rochelle come out on top against Leinster, Ronan O'Gara's side would face either the Northampton Saints at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, or they would take on the Bulls at an as yet unconfirmed venue in the UK.

Five-time champions Toulouse would host either Bordeaux-Begles or Harlequins at the 33,150 capacity Le Stadium in the city.

The Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux would be the venue for a potential Bordeaux v Exeter semi-final, while Ashton Gate in Bristol would host a meeting of Exeter and Harlequins, in the event both Premiership sides win this weekend.

Fixture details will be confirmed on Sunday evening, following the quarter-final results.

Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch Leinster v La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals on Saturday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Listen to live commentary Leinster v La Rochelle and Ireland v Wales in the Guinness Women's Six Nations from on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport, and follow live blogs of both on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.

Read Next