Who's the bigger diva: Robbie or Rihanna?

Eimear Rabbitte

Several Dublin rugby matches had to be called off this week in order to give Robbie Williams more space at Aviva Stadium for his concert on Friday.

She is one of the world's biggest divas, but even pop princess Rihanna doesn't need as much room for changing as Robbie Williams.

The Take That star will perform at the Aviva Stadium when he arrives for the Dublin leg of his tour this Friday.

Such is the furore surrounding the Let Me Entertain You singer that concert promoters altered the changing facilities for the gig, requiring the use of Lansdowne FC's rugby stadium next door.

As a result, officials at the club were forced to cancel local sporting fixtures planned for Lansdowne FC later this week.

However, such problems will not arise when Rihanna's Diamonds Tour hits the Aviva the following Friday.

Club management has been assured that all pre-arranged games and fixtures can go ahead.

The decision was taken following an urgent meeting when it was deemed that facilities at the Aviva would not be enough for Robbie and his entourage.

"Unfortunately due to the Robbie Williams's concert promoters changing area/facilities requirements overnight, we have had to postpone this week's IRFU Volkswagen Tag games at Lansdowne FC," said a club official.

"This is because of circumstances beyond our control, and we are notifying you immediately.

"Next week's games are good to go however, even with the Rihanna concert on the Friday," added the official.

And it seems club bosses were less than happy, adding: "If it were up to us, Robbie Williams would lose out every time."

Reformed bad boy Robbie (39) will roll into town later this week with tens of thousands turning out to see the singer.

The dad-of-one will be supported in Dublin by his protege and former X Factor star, Olly Murs.

Just one week later the Aviva will light up when Rihanna brings her Diamonds Tour to the capital.

Fans will have their fingers crossed for Friday night's performance -- the last time Robbie performed as a solo artist in Ireland he was left suspended in mid-air after stage gear malfunctioned.

He remains one of the most popular solo artists on the planet since splitting from Take That in the early Nineties.

Robbie reunited with Gary Barlow and the rest of Take That for their 2010 Progress tour.

Tickets are still available to see Robbie and Olly and are priced between €69.50 and €99.50.

As seen in The Herald; Herald.ie

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