Dublin in the mix for 2020 final
DUBLIN’S Aviva Stadium could be a potential venue for the refixed 2020 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals following the announcement that the games are to be moved away from Marseille. The French city will now stage the 2021 finals, with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London hosting in 2022. ‘With tens of thousands of fans scheduled to travel to the south of France, the board of EPCR and the local organising committee have agreed insufficient safeguards are currently in place during the public health crisis to stage two highprofile matches at the 67,000-capacity Stade Velodrome,’ said a statement from European Professional Club Rugby. ‘As a consequence, EPCR is currently working with its shareholder leagues and unions to secure an alternative venue or venues for the two finals on the weekend of 16/17/18 October. ‘Tickets for this season’s finals will be valid for 2021, all ticket holders will be contacted with details of how to avail of a full refund if required.’ Dublin last hosted the European final in 2013 when Toulon defeated Clermont 16-15 at the
Aviva. Meanwhile, England will return to international action after the coronavirus shutdown with a rescheduled match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on October 25 — the day after the final of the English Premiership. Elsewhere, Scotland’s 31year-old Kiwi winger Sean Maitland has agreed a two-year deal to stay with Saracens.