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"Now you can truly say that all roads in European rugby lead to Cardiff, and on the weekend of 19-20 May, 2011 the focus of the rugby world will be firmly on the Welsh capital.
"Binding both the Amlin Challenge Cup and the Heineken Cup finals together in this way builds on the momentum that was achieved in France last year and is a great initiative. Stade de France hosted a uniquely French experience for the Heineken Cup final clash between Toulouse and Biarritz Olympique and then we all headed south to Marseille for the Amlin Challenge Cup showdown between RC Toulon and Cardiff Blues.
"That game was very much on a par with the previous day's final in terms of quality and the setting at Stade Velodrome was superb. Now ERC have taken the decision to bring both finals even closer together at the end of this season and I think rugby fans are going to be very happy about that.
"Cardiff is one of the great European capital cities of rugby and the prospect of seeing four of Europe's finest teams in action in two high-profile finals over the space of one weekend is an offer that many rugby fans will find too good to refuse. And the two games kick-off within the space of 24 hours in stadiums that are less than a mile and a half apart.
"I'm sure the Amlin Challenge Cup clubs in particular will welcome this announcement because it gives them a chance to share in the sense of occasion and glory that goes with a European finals weekend. If there was once a bit of a gulf between the two tournaments, that has been greatly diminished by last year's decision to bring three Heineken Cup clubs into the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
"As a punter I know I can now book the ultimate rugby weekend away safe in the knowledge I'm going to become totally immersed in a rugby made city that is full of expectant and hopeful fans from four great clubs.
"It is the sort of rugby experience that should prove completely intoxicating. See you all in Cardiff next May!"
