Sarries move to Twickers
A European Cup quarterfinal will be staged at Twickenham Stadium for the first time.
This follows confirmation by Saracens that their match against Ulster in the last eight of Europe's most competitive club tournament will be played at the famous London venue on Saturday, April 6.
Although the home of English rugby has staged eight European Cup fixtures, including four finals, the clash of the innovative English club and last season's finalists will be a new departure in Twickenham's illustrious history.
With strong interest expected in the tie, the record attendance for a UK European Cup quarterfinal of 37,881 – set at Murrayfield last season when Edinburgh defeated Toulouse – could be a target.
Saracens earned a home tie by virtue of winning a highly-competitive Pool One, while Ulster, who will be aiming to go one better this time after losing to Leinster in the 2012 Final at Twickenham, topped Pool Four.
European Cup matches and attendances at Twickenham Stadium:
2012 Final: Leinster 42 Ulster 14 (81,774)
2009/10 pool stage: London Irish 11 Leinster 11 (37,323)
2008/09 pool stage: London Wasps 19 Leinster 12 (33,282)
2004/05 pool stage: Harlequins 10 Munster 18 (33,883)
2008 semi-final: London Irish 15 Toulouse 21 (30,559)
2007 final: Leicester Tigers 9 London Wasps 25 (81,076)
2004 final: London Wasps 27 Toulouse 20 (73,057)
2000 final: Northampton Saints 9 Munster 8 (68,441)
UK European Cup quarterfinal attendance record:
2012 – Edinburgh Rugby v Toulouse, Murrayfield 37,881
European Cup quarterfinal attendance record
2011 – Perpignan v Toulon, Olympic Stadium (Barcelona) 55,000
Quarterfinals
(All kick-offs are local time)
Saturday, April 6:
Clermont Auvergne v Montpellier, Stade Marcel Michelin – 16.40
Saracens v Ulster, Twickenham Stadium – 18.30
Sunday, April 7
Harlequins v Munster, Twickenham Stoop – 14.00
Toulon v Leicester Tigers, Venue TBC – 17.30
Semifinals
Matches to be played on weekend of 26/27/28 April
The winner of the first-named quarterfinal match in each semifinal pairing will have home country advantage.
Semifinal One: Saracens or Ulster v Toulon or Leicester Tigers
Semi-final Two: ASM Clermont Auvergne or Montpellier v Harlequins or Munster
European Cup Final:: Saturday, 18 May; Aviva Stadium, Dublin – 17.00
