San Sebastian Quarter A Sell-Out

The Heineken Cup means everything to the Munster players. We would be very happy to win another Celtic League title in another season but the Heineken Cup is the one that matters most.” -Alan Gaffney

The Heineken Cup is back next weekend breaking more records and breaking new ground.

The quarter-final between Biarritz Olympique and Munster will be played at Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian, the first tournament match played in Spain and set to be watched by the biggest crowd for a Rugby Union match in that country.

That quarter-final has long been a 32,000 sell-out and with the House Full signs going up at all four venues over 161,000 spectators will go through the turnstiles at Le Stadium in Toulouse, Parc des Princes in Paris, Lansdowne Road in Dublin and at San Sebastian to set a new tournament quarter-finals mark.

The players and fans are really looking forward to going to San Sebastian, said Munster coach Alan Gaffney. Munster play well in front of big crowds and it could work in our favour having the game moved from Biarritz s home ground to the bigger venue. It certainly won t faze our players having 32,000 people in the ground.

The Heineken Cup means everything to the Munster players. We would be very happy to win another Celtic League title in another season but the Heineken Cup is the one that matters most.

They have worked so hard for so long to win this trophy that it has become something of a quest. Last year was a real disappointment when we lost to London Wasps in the semi-final.

That defeat left the side in tatters. I have never felt so shattered after a rugby match as I did that day and I will be calling on those feelings and memories this week when we build-up to Biarritz.

Before I came to Ireland I had heard a little bit about the Heineken Cup, but I was unaware of its true quality and standard. For example, that game against Wasps was on a par with any game I ve seen in the Super 12.