BLUES ‘GO HOME’ TO MILLENNIUM STADIUM

After a difficult start to the season, Dai Young’s side have forced their way into the title race with five successive victories that have moved them into third place, a mere five points behind league leaders Leinster.

The clash with Brian O’Driscoll’s Heineken Cup semi-finalists could determine the Irishmen’s fate as they battle with bitter rivals Ulster and Munster for the Celtic crown, while victory would keep the Blues on course to complete a dramatic turn around in fortunes and clinch the top Welsh spot in the league a year after finishing fourth last season and being forced to play-off for a place in the Heineken Cup.

“We are temporarily to move from our Arms Park home for this fixture because due to a long-standing contingency agreement our pitch is covered with a marquee.  The marquee will host corporate guests for the FA Cup final that people will already be aware has been rearranged to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 13 May,” explained Blues chief executive Rob Norster.

“Despite the many logistical challenges, we gave Pontypridd RFC first option on hosting the fixture at Sardis Road, but they wrote back to us to explain they were already committed to staging the Silver Ball final and sadly were not able to accommodate us on this occasion.  That’s when we turned to the Millennium Stadium and asked their chief executive, Paul Sergeant, for some help. It will mean a quick turn around for the Millennium Stadium staff, given that they will have West Ham against Liverpool on the Saturday, but it is something they have done before. It will be fantastic for our players and fans to get the chance to play at the home of Welsh rugby and it will be a fitting stage for such a crucial game”

Leinster had hoped to be coming to Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium the following weekend for the Heineken Cup final, but they were downed 30-6 by Munster at a packed Lansdowne Road last weekend. That means they will be even more determined to pick up some silverware this season.

“The Millennium Stadium is delighted to host a Celtic League game for the first time and the game between the Blues and Leinster will provide rugby fans in south Wales with another huge fixture to enjoy. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have another Celtic League record crowd for a game played in Wales,” said Sergeant.

“By having this fixture the day after the FA Cup final we are doing in reverse what we will be doing the following weekend, when we host the Heineken Cup final between Biarritz Olympique and Munster on the Saturday and the Coca-Cola Championship final on the Sunday. It will also add another great event to an already action-packed ‘Summer Season’ at the Millennium Stadium.”

For the record, the Blues stole the Celtic league attendance record from Ulster over the Christmas period when 12,488 fans turned up to see them beat the Dragons – the previous day there had been 12,300 at Ravenhill for the Irish derby between Ulster and Leinster. That mark was overtaken by Leinster when they beat Munster four days later on 31 December when 14,135 spectators crammed into the Royal Dublin Showground.

The fourth record this season came at the Liberty Stadium on 18 April when the Ospreys beat the Scarlets in front of 15,183 fans. A big crowd at the Millennium Stadium could not only restore the Blues to the top of the attendance leader board overall, but also keep them in the hunt with Ulster and the Ospreys for the biggest average home gate of the season.

FIXTURE CONFIRMATION

Cardiff Blues v Leinster on Sunday, 14 May will be at the Millennium Stadium 6.10pm kick off. All season ticket holders will need to bring a ticket to the game and are encouraged to claim their tickets online at www.cardiffblues.com.

We are still awaiting delivery of the tickets, however the online shop and phone bookings can be taken and tickets will be posted by 1st class early next week.

Opening hours for the Ticket Office are:

From Sunday 30 April to Monday 1 May –  10.00am to 4.00pm From Tuesday 2 May to Saturday 13 May-  9.00am – 7.00pm

All adult season ticket holders are entitled to one ticket plus one half price ticket for the game,  and all junior season ticket holders are entitled to one ticket plus one free junior ticket for the game. Season Ticket holders must claim their free and additional ticket by Monday 8th May.

Tickets are on sale ticket office on 029 2030 2030 or online www.cardiffblues.com and priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children.