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Leinster will now launch the public sale of tickets. Coach Matt Williams expressed his delight at the strong demand so far and said: "The Leinster supporters are just fantastic.
We are thrilled that so many tickets have already been sold, it proves what we said at the outset - Lansdowne will be a bigger fortress. We estimate to have sold 30,000 Leinster replicas by the quarter-final, which is a tremendous encouragement.
"Although most of the Leinster team are on international duty they are all really happy with the huge level of support so far. Lansdowne will be a sea of blue!'
Explaining the ticketing operations, Chief Executive Mick Dawson said that both the West Upper Stand and the North Terrace would be closed, creating a capacity of just over 35,000 people.
"Ticket prices are the same as in Donnybrook. Tickets went on Internet sale at 10am and are now available in all 20 shops this morning. A new â'¬70 family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children means that, in essence, supervised children go free into the East Stand. We will create a special carnival atmosphere on the day - if you're a sports fan, it will be the place to be!
'Our radio, poster, banner and print advertising which is jointly supported by our sponsors Bank of Scotland (Ireland) started today and the aim is to attract the biggest ever attendance at an Irish provincial game. We have more tickets at more retail outlets in Leinster, twenty in all. In addition, extra tickets will be available at the Schools' Senior and Junior Cup matches. Student terrace tickets will be available on or near third level colleges in Leinster.
'In addition Leinster and Bank of Scotland (Ireland) are running a number of competitions in the media, which will give the public a chance to win great prizes from supporter packs to match tickets.
'We have sent Biarritz 1,500 tickets and if they request more they will be forwarded immediately. Fair is fair, anyone who wants to see this clash of Irish and French Champions should not be disappointed."
Tickets are available from the Leinster website. www.leinsterrugby.ie
