Aviva date for Munsters revenge mission

Leinster will play two high profile matches at the Aviva Stadium in the coming months. But it doesn't mean the end is in sight for their tenancy at the RDS.

Having already had their Heineken Cup road trip to Saracens moved to Wembley, Leinster will quickly become accustomed to playing in front of large crowds well before the latter stages of European competition.

On October 2nd their Magners league clash with Munster will be staged at Lansdowne Road followed by a Heineken Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne on December 18th.

The eastern province are able to make this move despite a long-term agreement to play a designated number of fixtures at the Ballsbridge venue.

"We have a 20-year arrangement with the RDS with a break clause after 10 years to play 13 matches a season there so, with the two extra Magners League games and the schools' cup (final) match, that takes us up to our quota." Chief executive Mick Dawson told the Irish Times.

That means it has become possible thanks to the addition of Italian teams, Aironi and Benetton Treviso, to what was formally 'the Celtic League'.

But Dawson refused to speculate on whether the 2009 European Champions would play an increased number of games across the canal at the Aviva. Instead focusing on attracting capacity crowds for the two fixtures already in place.

"At the moment it wouldn't be our intention to play any more games in the Aviva. We think two is about right and the reason for that is that we want to fill it out on both occasions.

"It is very important from a player's perspective that we get it full and that it has the right atmosphere in the place. The RDS is still our home and we are committed to them long-term."

That long term commitment could mean a redevelopment of the Horse show venue, to marginally increase capacity for regular fixtures while leaving the new Lansdowne as a stage for bigger games.

"In the long-term we would be hoping to knock down the Anglesea Stand and improve that stadium and get it up to about 23-24,000 which is probably about right.

"So, events here (in the Aviva) would be novelty events and we would hope that a lot of people who never get to an international here would take the opportunity to come and watch Leinster play."