Dublin to host European finals

Tournament organisers have announced that both showpiece European club finals next year will be held in Dublin.

The Aviva Stadium will host the 2013 Heineken Cup final on May 18, with the Royal Dublin Showground staging next season's Amlin Challenge Cup final the night before.

Dublin has never previously staged the Amlin final, but it has hosted the Heineken showpiece on two previous occasions.

"The decision of the ERC (European Rugby Cup) Board to stage both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup finals in Dublin reflects the hugely-positive impact Irish clubs and fans have had on European club rugby," said ERC chief executive Derek McGrath.

This season's Heineken final, which takes place at Twickenham next Saturday, is an all-Irish affair between holders Leinster and Ulster.