Leinster Rugby announce major Champions Cup venue change due to on-going renovations at the RDS

LEINSTER Rugby have confirmed that they will play their 2024-25 Champions Cup pool games at the Aviva Stadium.

That's due to the major redevelopment work that is in progress at the RDS.

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Leo Cullen's side are alongside were drawn with their fierce rivals La Rochelle, Clermont Auvergne and the Premiership pair of Bath and Bristol Bears.

But the four-time European champions confirmed that they will not play at the Dublin 4 venue due to upgrades on their home ground but they'll be playing around the corner at the Aviva.

The Irish province released a statement that read: "Leinster Rugby can this morning confirm that Aviva Stadium will host both Investec Champions Cup pool games later on this year and in January.

"Following the draw in July, Leinster are in a pool with La Rochelle, Clermont Auvergne, Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears, with Leinster to play Clermont and Bath at home.

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"With the RDS Arena unavailable for 2024/25 due to redevelopment, the Aviva Stadium will be home for the majority of Leinster Rugby home games this season, with Croke Park also available."

The full Champions Cup fixture list is as follows:

• Sunday, 8 December: Bristol Bears v Leinster Rugby, Ashton Gate, 5.30pm
• Saturday, 14 December: Leinster Rugby v Clermont Auvergne, Aviva Stadium, 5.30pm
• Sunday, 12 January: La Rochelle v Leinster Rugby, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 3:15pm
• Saturday, 18 January: Leinster Rugby v Bath Rugby, Aviva Stadium, 5.30pm

Meanwhile, Leinster and Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been linked with a big-money move to France's Top 14, according to a new report.

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The Ireland front-row ace penned a a three-year deal with the IRFU in 2022 that has him committed to the province until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The Wexford ace has been a key player for Leo Cullen and Andy Farrell's sides and would be a huge loss to both if he decided to move overseas at the end of the 2024/25 season.

French outlet RugbyPrime claim that Top 14 side Bayonne have ‘started discussions’ with the prop.

Furlong who was part of the Irish team that won the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship in 2018 and 2023 would be a huge coup for the French side.

Bayonne finished 12th in last season’s Top 14 and are looking to improve with a number of big additions to their squad.

GOALS LIVE! WIN IRELAND V ENGLAND TICKETS

FOOTBALL legends Tony Cascarino, Stuart Pearce, Andy Reid and Neil
O'Riordan will join The Irish Sun’s first live football preview event on Tuesday September 3 ahead of the Republic of Ireland v England match in The Aviva that weekend.

Goals Live 2024, in association with TonyBet and hosted by well-known sports commentator Dave McIntyre, promises to be an evening of entertainment, discussion, analysis and lively debate as the
panel delves into the upcoming big match between football rivals the Republic of Ireland and England.

The event, which is for over 18s only, will take place in The Camden, Dublin 2, from 6.15pm – 9pm.

The ticket includes a complimentary drink for attendees and each ticketholder will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a pair of match tickets to the big game in the Aviva on Saturday September 7.

Tickets are just €5 and available to purchase HERE.