Ospreys chiefs are reminding fans that tickets for their EDF Energy Cup Semi-Final at the same venue a week later will go off sale at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office on Wednesday 19th March...
OSPREYS SEND OUT RALLYING CRY AHEAD OF EDF CLASH Whilst the attention of the rugby world remains firmly on Wales and their attempt to secure a Grand Slam when they take on France at the Millennium Stadium this Saturday, Ospreys chiefs are reminding fans that tickets for their EDF Energy Cup Semi-Final at the same venue a week later will go off sale at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office on Wednesday 19th March. The Ospreys face Saracens at the home of Welsh rugby in the first half of a cup double-header against the Guinness Premiership outfit, with a place in their second successive Twickenham final up for grabs. Bosses at the region are calling on supporters to get behind their side in numbers and help to make a difference, just as they did when the Ospreys destroyed Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues at the same stage and venue last season. As was the case last year, the two semi-finals are being played back-to-back at the same venue and tickets are valid for both matches. Leicester Tigers, the Ospreys Twickenham conquerors last season, face Wasps at 2.30pm, before the Ospreys and Saracens get underway at 5.15pm. Ospreys Managing Director Roger Blyth said: "Last season we took around 10,000 supporters to the semi-final and it would be nice to think that we can top that this time. There's a real buzz about Welsh rugby right now given the fantastic results achieved by the national side in the Six Nations so far. With our internationals returning to us ahead of the game, it would be great to see thousands of our fans at the Millennium Stadium cheering them on against Saracens. We realise that it's a very busy time for rugby fans in general, and for Ospreys fans in particular with two big cup games coming up, but tickets are available from just £10 for this game, with bus travel just £5.50 for members. Given that for this price, supporters will get to see two matches between four of the top sides in the UK, and enjoy the skills of such as exciting players as Andy Farrell, Tom Varndell, Shane Williams and Danny Cipriani, then you have to agree that it's tremendous value for money." Almost 5,500 tickets have been sold via the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, guaranteeing spots in allocated Ospreys sections of the ground, more than any of the other three semi-finalists to date. In total, almost 30,000 tickets have been snapped up already, with a sizeable chunk of those sold through the Millennium Stadium and Ticketmaster going to Ospreys fans eager to secure their tickets prior to the region receiving their allocations, so the 10,000 target is in sight. Scrum-half Justin Marshall enjoyed possibly his finest game in an Ospreys shirt in last year's semi-final and he says that he's hoping for another memorable 80 minutes this time. He said: "As a team we put on a fantastic show against the Blues last year to book our place in the final and we have to look to do the same thing again next Saturday. Confidence is going to be high amongst the squad, we're doing well in the two cups and the Wales boys are on the verge of making history so I'm sure that it'll be another memorable game. I've said before that Ospreys fans are amongst the best there is. They always help to create a magnificent atmosphere wherever we are playing, and hopefully it'll be no different when we run out at the Millennium Stadium against Saracens. It looks as though they are going to be there in numbers once more, so hopefully we'll be able to reward them with a second trip to Twickenham, and this time we'll aim to go one better and bring the EDF Energy Cup back to Ospreylia with us." Tickets will remain on sale at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, or via the ticket hotline on 08700 400 004, until 6pm on Wednesday 19th March. Alternatively, they will be available via the Millennium Stadium Box Office up until kick-off, but supporters should note that tickets not purchased direct from the Ospreys will be for mixed areas. Tickets are priced from £10 up to £30, with discounts available for Ospreys members, or for group bookings of 10 or more. In addition, tickets are currently on sale for the Ospreys next Magners League fixture at the Liberty Stadium, against Ulster on Friday 28th March, the Heineken Cup Quarter-Final V Saracens at Vicarage Road on Sunday 6th April.