Rugby:The Magners League Grand Final will be an evening kick-off of 5.05pm and will be played on Saturday, May 28th with a trio of Irish provinces currently holding three of the four play-off spots.

After discussions with respective broadcast partners, Celtic Rugby today confirmed dates and times for both the Grand Final and semi-finals for the top four teams with the two semis also evening kick-offs on Friday, May 13th (7:05pm) and Saturday, May 14th (6:30pm).

With five rounds of the league to go following the conclusion of the Six Nations, it is Munster who hold a commanding lead at the top of the standings on 63 points, nine ahead of defending champions Ospreys in second. Leinster and Ulster are third and fourth respectively on 51 points.

Munster, the 2003 and 2009 champions, still have to travel to Wales twice in the closing stages to meet both the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues. Tony McGahan’s side will also host Irish rivals Leinster and Connacht at home in a difficult run-in to hold onto top spot and guarantee a home tie in the semi-finals.

The top two finishers will enjoy home advantage in the semi-finals (1 versus 4 and 2 versus 3). The Grand Final will be played at the home venue of the highest rank team reaching last two.

Leinster topped the league standings last year and made it to the final so it was played at the RDS where they lost to the Ospreys.

“We have an incredible final five rounds to go in the Magners League and it is anyone’s guess who will fill the top four places. There are still seven sides within striking distance and the battle for home advantage is set to go down to the wire,” said Celtic Rugby chairman Andy Irvine.

“We have some world class fixtures to come before the end of the regular season and then three fantastic matches to determine who will follow the Ospreys as the Grand Final champions.

“It has been the Ospreys’ stated intention from the start of the season to become the first team to successfully defend the Magners League crown and they are well in the mix at the moment in second place and with a home game to come against Munster.

“The 2009 champions Leinster, who are still in the race for Heineken Cup glory along with Ulster, are lurking in third and there are quality teams preparing for their final assault over the next few months.

Magners League Play-off details

Semi-Finals
Friday, May 13th (7:05pm)
Saturday, May 14th (6:30pm)

Grand Final
Saturday, May 28th (5:05pm)