Aviva Stadium will not host PRO12 final – Rugby News Update
John Feehan, the Chief Executive of PRO12 has ruled out Aviva Stadium as a venue for the final of the PRO12 league.
Since the play-offs were introduced in the 2009-10, the league wants to reward the sides that finish in the top two, giving them home advantage for the semi-finals, and subsequently the final. This year Leinster finished top of the league, followed by Ospreys,
Munster and then Glasgow.
According to the rules of the RaboDirect, the three possible venues are the RDS, which is home to Leinster, the Liberty Stadium, where Ospreys play their home matches, and finally Thomond Park, which is stadium of Munster, the reigning champions.
Feehan said, "It was also felt by all parties that due to the tight turn-around between the semi-finals and final, it would be better to confirm the RDS as Leinster's home venue, rather than consider a possible switch to the Aviva Stadium, to help with the
ticketing, policing, travel and administration of the final."
He further clarified that in the previously finals there have been capacity crowds at the stadium. In the 2010 Leinster and Ospreys final, there were 19,500 people, the second year final saw 26,100 people attend the Munster v Leinster game.
However, the Aviva Stadium has the largest capacity and it can seat 51,700 people but it will be a logistical nightmare to shift the final there.
"Due to the Republic of Ireland international football match against Bosnia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, May 26, PRO12 decided, after discussions with both Leinster and our TV partners, to avoid any potential clash and switch a Dublin final to Sunday,
May 27," explained Feehan.
All these permutations are based around assumptions, but this possibility is only being considered because it is believed that Leinster will beat Glasgow in their semi-final match, which will hand Leinster the home advantage for the final, because they finished
top of the league.
Regardless of where the final is played, the ground will be packed, and the atmosphere will be electrifying. The final currently has been scheduled for the weekend of the 26/27 of May.
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