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Leinster have announced that they will play their home matches in the United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup next season at the Aviva Stadium while the RDS Arena undergoes a revamp.
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The URC leaders already play plenty of games a season at the Aviva Stadium, including their recent Champions Cup victories over Leicester Tigers and La Rochelle, but it will become their permanent residence from next season. Games in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship meanwhile will continue to be played at Energia Park, in Donnybrook.
The four-time European champions have also confirmed that matches will also be played at Croke Park next season alongside the Aviva Stadium.
Croke Park is set to host Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints in May, although that is classified as a neutral venue.
Leinster CEO Shane Nolan said about the move: “This a hugely exciting update for everyone associated with Leinster Rugby and we look forward to supporting the RDS in its ambition to regenerate.
“We are very fortunate to be able to relocate to Aviva Stadium, a stadium that we are very familiar with as an organisation and as a supporter base, and where we have enjoyed many brilliant days together. Last Saturday’s win was another one to add to a long list of great days.
“I’d like to put on record my appreciation and indeed the Leinster Rugby Branch’s appreciation to the Boards of the RDS, the IRFU, the FAI and the Aviva Stadium for all their help in facilitating this move and indeed to the GAA for their help in securing Croke Park for a number of games next season.
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“It will be a season like no other, of that there will be no doubt, and while we acknowledge that there will be some inconvenience in any stadium move, we are also very excited to bring a full season of Leinster Rugby matches to venues of the quality of the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park, two of the finest stadia in Europe.
“We very much appreciate in advance the ongoing support of our Season Ticket Holders as we navigate the road ahead during the RDS regeneration and we look forward to an exciting chapter for Leinster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium, and in time, a return to an even better RDS Arena.”
