Around 30,000 French rugby fans are expected to come through Dublin Airport over the weekend as the Amlin and Heineken Cup finals take place in the capital. With three of the four sides involved coming from France there will be a massive strain placed on Dublin Airport, as the DAA works to keep travellers flowing smoothly in and out of the city.
Leinster face Stade Francais at the RDS tonight while there is an all French final tomorrow as Clermont Auvergne, Munster’s conquerors in the semi-final, come up against the Toulon side of Johnny Wilkinson.
Leinster will be without Brian O’Driscoll due to a back spasm incurred in last week’s RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final, but with tickets for tonight’s game like gold dust around the city it promises to be an electric atmosphere as a momentous weekend of rugby in Dublin gets underway. A larger French crowd is expected for the Heineken Cup final, although there are still soem tickets available to Irish fans, on general sale.
With 100 extra flights added to the schedule, DAA spokesperson, Siobhán Moore, advises passengers to get to the airport early.
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Image: Stade Francais captain Sergio Parisse and Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip with the Amlin Cup Trophy
©INPHO/Billy Stickland