Cardiff Blues can today confirm that their Heineken Cup Round 2 match against English giants Gloucester will be played at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday 19 October 3.00pm kick off.
The Blues start this seasons Heineken Cup campaign with an away trip to Italian champions Calvisano on Saturday 11 October. It will be the Blues second visit to Calvisano following their 10 25 victory over the Italians in 2005 in a match that saw Jonah Lomu make his debut for the Welsh region.
Cardiff Blues then face Gloucester RFC at the Millennium Stadium. Having set a Welsh Heineken Cup record crowd of 26,645 in October 2006 when they took on the Leicester Tigers at the national stadium, the Blues will be anticipating a large crowd for this seasons match.
The Round 3 and 4 matches will be played against former Heineken Cup finalists Biarritz Olympique, with the home match to be played on Friday 5 October at 8.00pm and the away fixture on Saturday 13 December at 2.35pm.
Speaking of the fixtures, David Young said, Gloucester are a quality side as they have shown over recent seasons finishing top of their league twice and we know they are one of the best teams in England. Im sure it will be a tough match but we look forward to playing them at the Millennium Stadium. The fans generated a superb atmosphere when we played Leinster and Leicester in the National Stadium in recent years.
Calvisano are familiar to us having played them in the Heineken Cup, and they proved to be a difficult team to beat, so it will be a tricky start for us. Its obviously very important to get a good start and be in a strong position after Rounds 3 and 4 to make sure we are still in with a shout of qualifying.
All three home Heineken Cup pool matches are included in the Cardiff Blues season ticket packages that are on sale now. As well as the Heineken Cup pool matches season ticket holders will also be able to watch both EDF Energy Cup home pool matches, as well as all home Magners League matches as part of their package.
The season tickets offer outstanding value for money with a guaranteed minimum of 15 home games to include free entry to the pre season friendly match against the Northampton Saints on Friday 29 August 7.30pm kick off, as well as being entered into the International ticket allocation system.
Junior season tickets are also fantastic value from only £35 for 15 matches. Adult season tickets start at £170 for terrace and family stand and £235 for Grandstand tickets. Concessions are available for students and seniors with prices at £140 for terrace and family stand and £190 for the Grandstand.
The Blues have experienced tremendous growth in support since their first season. Average crowds of 9,032 watched the Blues last season almost double the attendances of 2003/04 when the average attendance was 4,518.
The Cardiff Blues will be aiming to increase their attendances even more in 2008/09 in what will be their last season at the Arms Park.
To renew your season ticket please visit www.cardiffblues.com/renew
To purchase a new season ticket please visit www.cardiffblues.com/seasontickets
HEINEKEN CUP FIXTURES SCHEDULE – 2008/2009
Round 1: 10/11/12 October 2008
Sat 11 Oct Gloucester RFC v Biarritz Olympique 17:30 Kingsholm Sky Sports
Sat 11 Oct Calvisano Rugby v Cardiff Blues 14:35 San Michele, Calvisano Sky Itallia
Round 2: 17/18/19 Ocotber 2008
Sat 18 Oct Biarritz Olympique v Calvisano Rugby 18:00 Stade Aguilera, Biarritz –
Sun 19 Oct Cardiff Blues v Gloucester RFC 15:00 Millenium Stadium Sky Sports
Round 3: 5/6/7 December 2008
Sat 6 Calvisano Rugby v Gloucester RFC 14:35 San Michele, Calvisano Sky Italia
Fri 5 Cardiff Blues v Biarritz Olympique 20:00 Cardiff Arms Park S4C
Round 4: 12/13/14 December 2008
Sat 13 Dec Gloucester RFC v Calvisano Rugby 15:00 Kingsholm –
Sat 13 Dec Biarritz Olympique v Cardiff Blues 14:35 Stade Aguilera, Biarritz Canal +
Round 5: 16/17/18 January 2009
Round 4 Gloucester RFC v Cardiff Blues TBC Kingsholm TBC
Round 4 Calvisano Rugby v Biarritz Olympique TBC San Michele, Calvisano TBC
Round 6: 23/24/25 January 2009
Round 4 Cardiff Blues v Calvisano Rugby TBC Cardiff Arms Park TBC
Round 4 Biarritz Olympique v Gloucester RFC TBC Stade Aguilera, Biarritz TBC
ALL LOCAL TIMES