Heineken cup 2014 venue change

[Scrumdog]

The beginning of the end ? The French have pulled out of hosting next years final due to uncertainty over the availability of the Stade de France. Lame excuse or what ?

[VGE]

Several venues could host a final: Parc des Princes, Stade Velodrome in Marseille, Lille...
And the FFR want to build his own stadium, and will certainly enjoy opportunities to make profits with it.


Au revoir.

[artaneboy]

The beginning of the end ? The French have pulled out of hosting next years final due to uncertainty over the availability of the Stade de France. Lame excuse or what ?

I'd say 'or what!' it's the clubs that want to change the HC, the availability of the stadium is not in their gift.

[Lamb of BOD]

Is there any particular reason that we couldn't host the finals again next season? I think the good folks at Lansdowne did us proud and a good show was put on for both finals. The Dublin Pass was, in hindsight, a good idea. It's not like we couldn't do with the tourist euros. Plus, Leinster will be in the final, so no problems with ticket sales ... Also, both grounds are in walking distance of my house, plus I wouln't need to worry about flights and accomodation. What better reasons do the ERC need?

[Oldschool]

Croker?

[PBB]

Cardiff is 2014 "European Sports Capital" whatever that means, wonder if that will swing it..

Preference would always be Dublin, but I'd be happy to travel to Twickers or Cardiff again, main hope is they host Amlin and HEC together, if it is to be the last year then one more big weekend of finals would go down well... Leinster vs Racing in the final please!

[maps]

Hoping for Nou Camp

[sheepshagger]

Edinburgh must be due it again, hope its not there as hotels are already sky high (doesn't help a big marathon is on in the city that weekend too).

[Degz]

Rome, Rome, Rome, Rome etc.

[Dave Cahill]

The problem with Rome and Barcelona is whether or not their respective leagues are finished when the final is on and thus the grounds available. I know that La Liga certainly isn't

[sheepshagger]

The WRU will bid for Cardiff to host it...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... adium.html

[TerenureJim]

The WRU will bid for Cardiff to host it...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... adium.html

Much as I enjoyed Cardiff and it was set up nicely with the supporters village etc, I think they have somewhat hogged the HEC final for a few years now. 2006, 2008, 2011 is far too often in the space of 5 years. I actually think it's good that paris is off the radar for 2014 as they only just hosted in 2010 and it needs to be getting to new venues at this stage.

Ourselves and Edinburgh are probably the most hard done by in terms of numbers of finals as realistically Italy would have been a hard sell in previous years. Granted we had a couple of seasons without Lansdowne and it was early doors politically for Croker to bid (no reason not to now).

[mtleinster]

The biggest problem is that italy is a much bigger commitment to get to. london, wales, both a no brainer from DunLaoghaire with sail and rail. Edinb is slightly more out of the way, but not much. Italy will be €500 flights home on a sunday

That being said, i suppose there is always a via Geneva or France and hope ryanair have €40 flights

[Broken Wing]

The problem with Rome and Barcelona is whether or not their respective leagues are finished when the final is on and thus the grounds available. I know that La Liga certainly isn't

The Serie A finished on the weekend of the finals this season.

[Peg Leg]

Champions league and HEC final on the same weekend for next yr (Lisbon is the venue for the kickyball), I think they should consider co-location for the day.
Lisbon may not be a stronghold of rugby, but if the games were 2hrs apart fans could make both tournament finals.
There are a few great stadiums in Lisbon capable of hosting the matches.

[ronk]

Italy is easier for the Southern French fans to travel to though.

[Logorrhea]

Champions league and HEC final on the same weekend for next yr (Lisbon is the venue for the kickyball), I think they should consider co-location for the day.

Shudder at the thought of rugby fans mixing with football fans and alcohol.

Sorry but that would be one to avoid.

[Peg Leg]

Champions league and HEC final on the same weekend for next yr (Lisbon is the venue for the kickyball), I think they should consider co-location for the day.

Shudder at the thought of rugby fans mixing with football fans and alcohol.

Sorry but that would be one to avoid.

I'll admit to been firmly in the "corporate whorism" frame of mind when I came up with that one.....

[tigerburnie]

Welford Road?(so we can have a home final for a change................)

[blockhead]

Welford Road?(so we can have a home final for a change................)

Targeting the Amlin already? Is there a big stadium nearby for the Heino?