Barnes to ref Leinster semi in Bordeaux
ENGLISH referee Wayne Barnes will take charge of Leinster's Heineken Cup semi-final against Clermont-Auvergne at the 34,000 capacity Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux on Sunday, April 29.
It looks set to be a sell-out - 22,000 tickets have already been sold - as Clermont attempt to derail Leinster's ambition of winning an unprecedented three titles in four seasons and the Heineken Cup-PRO12 League double.
France's Romain Poite will officiate the first semi-final when Ulster Rugby clash with Edinburgh Rugby in what promises to be an historic occasion at the Aviva Stadium.
With Edinburgh appearing in a first ever game in the last four, while 1998/1999 champions Ulster are bridging a 13-year gap since their last semi-final match in the competition.
The Dublin contest, on Saturday, April 28, looks set to attract another massive attendance as 37,000 tickets have already been snapped up by supporters.
HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS
SATURDAY, 28 APRIL
Ulster v Edinburgh, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 5.45. Referee: R Poite (Fra). Assistant 1: J Garces (Fra). Assistant 2: P Gauzere (Fra).
SUNDAY, 29 APRIL
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster, Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux 3.0 (Irish time).
Referee: W Barnes (Eng). Assistant 1: N Owens (Wal). Assistant 2: D Pearson (Eng).
