Connacht supporters will have a final chance to purchase tickets at the reduced for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final at the Magners League game against the Dragons at the Sportsground on St Patrick’s Day.
Tickets for the eagely awaited clash with Bourgoin at the Sportsground on April 10 (kick-off 1pm) are selling well and fans have availed at the offer of reduced prices for regular supporters.
A large volume of tickets was sold at Connacht’s Magners League clash against Glasgow Warriors for the European showdown and fans will have one final chance to avail of the reduced prices on St Patrick’s Day.
Tickets will be on sale at the Sportsground for next Wednesday’s clash with the Dragons (kick-off 6.30pm) at the following prices for the Bourgoin game:

Ground Tickets     €20
Concession     €15

Child        €10
Supporters can buy a maximum of five tickets each.



Tickets will go on public sale through ticketmaster.ie and in Ticketmaster outlets from Thursday 18th March 2010.  Elverys Tuam and Elverys Claremorris now have Ticketmaster outlets in their stores.


On the 18th March remaining tickets will go on general release at the following prices:

Ground Tickets        €25

Concession        €20

Child           €10
Plus booking fee from Ticketmaster (postage and packing.admin etc)

The 10th season of the tournament will see the Magners League expanded to four nations as Italy joins Ireland, Scotland and Wales in a high profile 12-team cross-border competition designed to considerably enhance both playing standards and commercial viability for the competing countries.

The three Celtic Unions have unanimously agreed to the introduction of two new Italian super sides and the four-year agreement will see Benetton Treviso and Aironi Rugby, (whose players will be drawn from MPS Rugby Viadana, Banca Monte Rugby Parma, Plusvalore Gran Parma, BluGeo Colorno, Vibu Noceto, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Mantova), competing against defending champions Munster and the other nine Celtic teams on a home and away basis.

The move to welcome Italian sides comes at the end of a year-long review of the viability of expanding the tournament, the detailed analysis and due diligence undertaken by the sports consultancy arm of Deloittes and focusing on the basis of long term financial capacity to support the teams and commit to the league.

David Jordan, Director of Celtic Rugby, said: "This is another massive step forward for the Magners League and follows the decision to go to a top four Play-Off system to determine our champion team.

"As well as providing more fixtures for the teams already involved this will also bring both a major cash injection into the competition and greater exposure across Europe.

"The implementation of the Plays-Offs and the Magners League Grand Final this season has already seen a marked improvement in the competitiveness of the League and the arrival of two Italian teams will provide another boost to the competition.

Giancarlo Dondi, President of Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), said: "I am very pleased that, after months of intense negotiations, an agreement that will see two Italian teams join the Magners League at the start of next season has been reached.

"I am sure that the Magners League will bring benefits to all Italian rugby and will have a positive impact on the competitiveness of our national team."

Connacht's Magners League home games against Edinburgh and Munster next month have been finalised.

Connacht will take on Edinburgh at the Sportsground on Good Friday, April 2, in a game which will kick off at 6pm.

Connacht's clash with Munster will take place on Sunday, April 18, in a match which will be shown live on Setanta and will kick-off at 5.05pm.

ROUND 15
Friday 2 April
Connacht v Edinburgh (Sportsground, 18:00)
Munster v Leinster (Thomond Park Stadium, 20:05). Live on Setanta.
Ospreys v Scarlets (Liberty Stadium, 19:05). Live on BBC Wales & Setanta Ireland.
Saturday 3 April
Ulster v Cardiff Blues (Ravenhill, 19:30). Live on S4C and Setanta Ireland.
To be confirmed:
Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons (Firhill Arena),

ROUND 16
Friday 16 April
Glasgow Warriors v Ulster (Firhill Arena, 19:05) Live on Setanta Ireland.
Leinster v Ospreys (RDS 19:05). Live on BBC Wales and Setanta 1.
Saturday 17 April
Scarlets v Cardiff Blues (Parc y Scarlets, 18:30). Live on S4C and Setanta 1.
Sunday 18 April
Connacht v Munster (Sportsground , 17:05). Live on Setanta Ireland.
Newport Gwent Dragons v Edinburgh (Rodney Parade, 17:05). Live on S4C and Setanta.