Parker Pen Shield Final To Be Played In Italy

Three Italian Clubs - Leonessa, Rugby Parma and Viadana - and French club Montpellier will contest the two legs of the semi-finals on the weekends of 9 / 10 and 24 April, guaranteeing Italy a club in the final.

And the venue of the first Parker Pen Shield final to be staged in Italy will be determined by the result of the Rugby Parma v Viadana semi-final - the second and deciding leg of which will also be broadcast live by Sky Italia.

Semi-final success for Viadana would mean the final being played at Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma. If Rugby Parma win through to the final it will be played at Stadio Mirabello, Reggio Emilia - kick-off 21.00 local time.

'The decision of the ERC Board of Directors to award one of our prestigious finals to Italy is seen as a fitting tribute for the advances that have been made in the club game in that country and their loyal backing of ERC since its inception in 1995,' said ERC Chairman, Jean-Pierre Lux.

Derek McGrath, ERC Chief Executive, added: 'When the Heineken Cup kicked-off in 1995 there were two Italian teams, Milan and Benetton Treviso, among the 12 clubs and the Italian contingent has grown to involve 10 teams this season - the third highest representation of any country in membership of ERC.

'As well as a reward for Italian rugby, the awarding of the Parker Pen Shield final is also a major responsibility as it will kick-off a weekend of finals spaced over three days in May.

'More than anything, it will give the host nation an opportunity to show to the rest of Europe that it is capable of staging quality events. We see this as a stepping stone towards one day Italy hosting the Heineken Cup final.

'FIR, LIRE, the host club and town, the two finalists and the Italian media all have major roles to play in turning the Parker Pen Shield final into a success in its first year as a stand alone event.

'We are delighted that Sky Italia will be televising both the Viadana home leg of their semi-final against Rugby Parma as well as the final itself. This can only enhance the profile of the Parker Pen Shield tournament in particular and the game in Italy in general.

'Everyone at ERC is looking forward to working with all the stakeholders to turn the Parker Pen Shield final into a true success story.'

PARKER PEN SHIELD SEMI-FINALS - FIRST LEG (All kick-offs LOCAL time)

FRIDAY 9 APRIL
19.30 Montpellier v Leonessa Sean Davey (England)
SATURDAY 10 APRIL
15.00 Rugby Parma v Viadana Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)

PARKER PEN SHIELD SEMI-FINALS - SECOND LEG (All kick-offs LOCAL time)

SATURDAY 24 APRIL
15.00 Leonessa v Montpellier David Changleng (Scotland)
15.05 Viadana v Rugby Parma Christophe Berdos (France) Sky Italia

PARKER PEN SHIELD FINAL

FRIDAY 21 MAY
21.00 Italian venue TBC Sky Italia