What a season it has been so far for Munster.
After suffering poor attendances by Munster’s own high standards over the last number of years, things have definitely returned to the norm this season.
In addition to Munster’s St. Stephens Day clash with Leinster, the southern province have sold out all home Champions Cup fixtures at Thomond Park.
A combination of the tragic passing of Anthony Foley and the excellent rugby on display in both Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park has led to the resurgence of the Munster Rugby faithful.
Munster can expect another full-house when they entertain four-time European champions, Toulouse, in Limerick on Saturday April 1.
It will be a repeat of the 2014 quarter-final between the sides and it will be both their 16th last eight appearance in European club rugby’s premier competition.
It will definitely be an occasion to remember, especially considering the 5.45 kick off time will ensure that the Thomond Park crowd will be in fine voice.
Clear your diary https://t.co/79yisWgR9N
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 27, 2017
Munster Rugby have crunched the numbers today and they have revealed that Munster, out of all 20 teams who competed in the pool stages of the Champions Cup, recorded the highest total home attendance.
Munster had a total home attendance in the Champions Cup of 77,400, ahead of Leinster in second place and Ian Madigan’s Bordeaux Begles in third place.
- Munster Rugby – 77,400
- Leinster Rugby – 70,059
- Bordeaux Begles – 63,399
Munster topping the table is even more impressive when you take into account that Bordeaux played all their home fixtures in the 34,694 capacity Stade Chaban-Delmas and Leinster also hosted one of their home fixtures in the 50,000 capacity Aviva Stadium.
Nevertheless, it’s great to see the two Irish provinces top the table and it is no doubt a sign of the respective success which Munster and Leinster have experienced this season.
With Leinster playing their home quarter-final against London Wasps in the Aviva, we will likely see Leinster overtake their rivals in these stakes at least.
