BATTLE OF CUP KINGS COMES TO MILLENNIUM STADIUM
POWERGEN CUP SEMI-FINALS – MILLENNIUM STADIUM – SATURDAY, 4 MARCH, 2006
Match 1: London Wasps v Leicester Tigers – KO 2.30pm – BBC Network
Match 2: Bath Rugby v Llanelli Scarlets – KO 5.15pm S4C
Llanelli Scarlets captain Simon Easterby is billing his team’s Powergen Cup semi-final clash with Bath Rugby at the Millennium Stadium on 4 March, 2006, as the battle of the Cup Kings of England and Wales.
The Scarlets beat Sale Sharks 24-23 to qualify for the last four and Easterby said: “It’s fantastic that we’re in the semi-final representing the Welsh regions.
“There are four quality teams and there was never going to be an easy draw but I’m pleased we’ve avoided Wasps – we’ll have already played them twice in the Heineken Cup and we’d probably know each other too well.
“Bath are the Cup Kings of England – up against the Cup Kings of Wales – so that should make for a great game. Being back in the Millennium Stadium again is certainly something for us to look forward to.”
Bath booked their place in the semi-finals with a 21-12 victory over Gloucester at the Recreation Ground and prop David Barnes believes the chance to play the Scarlets as part of a double-header will generate a fantastic atmosphere in Cardiff.
Barnes said: “This gives us a great chance to go to the Millennium Stadium and experience what promises to be a special occasion. Llanelli have been playing well and it will be a big game for us, but it is something that we are looking forward to.
“The match is being played in the middle of the Six Nations and that means that interest will be on a high. The fixture will be extremely popular and I am sure that the Bath faithful will journey across the bridge en masse to support us.”
“The Millennium Stadium is a terrific venue and having the two matches back to back is something that will add to the occasion.”
London Wasps’ Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan is expecting another “titanic battle” with Leicester Tigers in the other semi-final.
Wasps and Leicester met five times last season – twice in the Heineken Cup, twice in the Premiership and then in the Premiership Final when a 39-14 victory saw Wasps claim the title for the third season in a row.
McGeechan said: “It’s great to have got to the semi-final and to have the opportunity to play at the Millennium Stadium and it will be a new experience for a lot of our players to play there.
“The draw has given us a big game against Leicester and after last season’s titanic battles in the Heineken Cup, the scene is now set for the two clubs to meet again in the Powergen.”
Wasps were unbeaten qualifiers at the top of Group B following yesterday’s 42-8 win over Saracens, while Leicester recovered from losing their first Group D game to Newport-Gwent Dragons to go through with a 29-16 victory against Northampton Saints.
Tickets for the semi-finals are now on sale via Ticketmaster – tel 08705 582582 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk and from all four Powergen Cup semi-finalists.
