Thousands of fans also bought tickets for the game at the special price of £10 for adults and £5 for children and the Blues drafted in star players Rhys Williams, Marc Stcherbina and Xavier Rush to help out with the ticket sales

Xavier Rush, Cardiff Blues Number 8 commented, "Certainly Leinster is a big game for us, but obviously the first hurdle is the Ulster match and they are expecting a packed crowd so it will be a very tough away game.

The Leinster match at home in the Millennium Stadium next weekend will also be a massive game for us. I've only ever watched a game at the Millennium Stadium and that Wales versus the All Blacks just before Christmas and the atmosphere there was probably the best I've ever experienced at a rugby match. Hopefully if we can get enough people there it'll make for a great occasion.

The way the guys have been playing and the way Leinster play I think it'll be a cracking game of rugby, so hopefully people can come along on Sunday and it will be a really good spectacle."

Marc Stcherbina, the Australian centre added "I'm looking forward to the game as I've never played in Millennium Stadium, hopefully I'll get a chance to run out next week in front of a really good crowd as well.

The first match I saw there was the 1999 world cup final where the unbeatable Australian team won the world cup for the second time. It was a great atmosphere, but it all changed when Wales beat Australia there, which again was a fantastic game and atmosphere. It's a fantastic venue and a big game for us and hopefully all the crowd and supporters will get behind us.

The supporters have been wonderful this season already and were just happy that we can return the favour to the crowd in our recent victories at home and we aim to do the same thing at the Millennium Sstadium."

Letters have been sent out to all the regional clubs, junior clubs and schools within the region, promoting the game with a special offer of HALF PRICE TICKETS, priced at £2.50 for children and £5 for adults, subject to a minimum order of 10 tickets.

To deal with the demand for tickets the Ticket Office was open on Bank Holiday Monday and the opening hours have been extended to 9.00am - 7.00pm and the Club Shop will be open from 9.00am to 5.00pm for the period leading up to the match. Supporters are encouraged to buy their tickets online at www.cardiffblues.com and Season Ticket holders are reminded they must claim their free and additional ticket by Monday 8th May.

Tickets are on sale ticket office on 029 2030 2030 or online at the special price of £10 for adults and £5 for children.