European rugby chiefs have announced that the Stade de la Mediterranee in Beziers will host the Heineken Cup semi-final between Castres and Munster on April 27.

"We are now looking forward to having this event in a rugby heartland of France," said Jean-Pierre Lux, Chairman of ERC.

"There have been delays in announcing a venue for this game but ERC needed to allow time to be given in order to assess all options.

"There is an international airport just 45 minutes from the stadium (Montpellier) and Béziers has proved it can hold major events such as the most recent Rugby World Cup (France v Canada and Fiji v Namibia) as well as RWC matches in 1991 (France v Romania) and the 1997 European Shield final between Bourgoin and Castres.

"The stadium will have a capacity of 20,400, with seating for 17,600, for the semi-final. We are confident that it meets all our criteria and the event will be a great success for both sets of fans.

"With the Leicester Tigers against Llanelli semi-final already confirmed for the City Ground, Nottingham, on Sunday, 28 April, we are looking forward to two great matches on the final leg to the Heineken Cup final at the Millennium Stadium on 25 May."

Pierre Fraisse, the Béziers town council Director of Sports, said: "It is a real joy for Béziers to have been chosen as the venue for this prestigious semi-final of the Heineken Cup. Rugby is part of our culture here - we live for it - and we attach a lot of importance to this.

"Béziers may not be a huge town but we thrive on big occasions. During the summer 'feria', as many as one million people swell the streets and bars for three or four days. We staged Rugby World Cup matches in both 1991 and 1999 - the stadium is more suited to this kind of big event than for simple club matches. Béziers is also hosting a stage of the Tour de France this summer.

"On behalf of the town of Béziers, it goes without saying that we will do everything possible to ensure the weekend is an absolute success."

The other semi-final between Leicester and Llanelli will take place at Nottingham Forest's City Ground on Sunday, April 28.