What a week it has been for Leinster. Over the past few days, the province has announced the signing of Jordie Barrett on a short-term deal, the addition of Tyler Bleyendaal to the coaching staff, and now, the decision to make the Aviva Stadium their temporary home next season.
With the RDS set to undergo structural work over the coming months, the question of where Leinster would play out of for the 2024/25 season was lingering.
With Croke Park being used as the venue for the upcoming Champions Cup semifinal clash against Northampton Saints due to work being done on the Aviva Stadium for the Europa League final, the GAA headquarters is set to host some big clashes next season as well.
READ HERE: Former Ireland International Has Doubts About Croke Park As A Rugby Venue
It had been reported that Nowlan Park was being earmarked as an alternative to the RDS for the side next season. With a rare chance to showcase the best of provincial talent outside of the capital, many felt as though the move could be beneficial, but that has since been squashed.
Fans unhappy over new Leinster home venue
While Leinster matches at the Aviva Stadium have been far from rare, it certainly will be interesting to see the sort of crowd that will flock to Lansdowne Road on a cold winter's evening for a URC clash against the likes of Zebre.
Filling the stadium to capacity will undoubtedly be a difficult task and the idea of bringing the team to a different part of the province was appealing to many, especially those quite far away from Dublin who rarely get the oportunity to watch the four-time European champions.
Leinster confirmed the move through this statement on Thursday afternoon.
Due to a planned regeneration of the RDS Arena it is unlikely to be available for use and as a result, an alternative option for the season ahead was required.
As a result, Leinster Rugby will play the majority of its games in the URC and the Champions Cup in the Aviva Stadium, with Croke Park also hosting a number of games across the season. Games in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship will continue to be played at Energia Park, in Donnybrook.
Many supporters have taken to social media to voice their frustrations over the move.
This sucks tbh. Even though it would be more awkward for me, I'd much rather they moved the games around the province a bit (even just had them in Nowlan Park, as was rumoured) rather than a half empty Lansdowne Road https://t.co/AYRu2BDZPv
— caoimhín (@KevBeirne) April 18, 2024
Can understand the logic of the Aviva move but I was hoping the games would end up being shared around the province more. The Twelve County Army thing remains a bit of a fiction - this feels like a missed opportunity to bring the team to new audiences. https://t.co/dVg3C0XpRi
— Hugo Gordon (@HugoGordon1) April 18, 2024
Missed opportunity to play games around the province
— Clinch (@ClinchEire) April 18, 2024
It's actually terrible across all the provinces, leinster should playing the odd game in wexford/killkenny meath etc, munster should be playing out in Waterford or kerry, connacht in mayo or sligo, ulster over to derry or donegal. The odd training session is all they do.
— james Hurley V (@hurley365) April 18, 2024
Very disappointed. A great opportunity to grow outside of Dublin
— paul leonard (@paulleonard2) April 18, 2024
While the news of a move to the Aviva Stadium has been the main talking point among fans, it's worth noting that the club have also decided against increasing the price of season tickets, while also offering cheaper ticket options and family deals for the upcoming campaign.
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