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This year, why not kick off the festive season at the jam-packed Aviva Stadium with home fans roaring on the boys in blue?
Leinster Rugby take on current Premiership Rugby Champions Exeter Chiefs in a much anticipated European Champions Cup clash on Saturday December 16, where the best of the best will trade brutal blows and crushing tackles.
It promises to be a day out to enjoy with family and friends, feel the sound and hear the roar of the crowd build around the stadium as two teams compete for the next chapter in European rugby.
Sound good to you?
Here's the plan of action for the day
Before the match
You can't just go straight to the Aviva — you need to psych yourself up first.
There's no shortage of great pubs around the stadium to enjoy the calm before the storm. Find somewhere with comfortable surroundings, catch up with friends and enjoy a drink and some grub before the game commences.
As you settle in, here's where you'll make your predictions for the day ahead — will the local heroes prevail or will the visiting team who made history last season after their first ever Premiership title take the glory?
If you want to sound like a rugby expert with your mates here are all the stats you need to know: at Leinster's last Christmas Aviva fixture the team scored nine tries and went on to reach the semi-finals of Europe. Leinster broke the PRO12 record by scoring a staggering 91 tries during the regular season. What does all that mean? That whoever comes out on top, it's safe to say that we can expect a titanic clash come December 16.
At the stadium
With the Dublin weather now deep in the depths of winter, it's nice to be able to stay warm and enjoy the comforts of the corporate hospitality on offer.
The Leinster hospitality experience offers both private corporate boxes and the popular President's Terrace. The boxes have a capacity for 12, 24 or 50 people and there are a couple of options to avail of.
More information on Leinster Hospitality can be found here.
The match
Leinster are coming into this game at the top of their pool in Europe and are well-placed to claim a crucial home quarter-final. But first they’ll have to overcome the champions of England, Exeter Chiefs at the Aviva.
The opposition: As well as being crowned champions of England last season when they defeated a top-quality Wasps team in the decider at Twickenham, Exeter also bagged 86 tries so will fancy their chances of matching Leinster in attack. Plus they also boast British & Irish Lions winger Jack Nowell among their ranks, so are not to be taken lightly.
However, the last time Leinster faced an English side in the Christmas fixture at the Aviva they put 60 points and nine tries on their old rivals Northampton Saints.
Leinster also scored more tries than any other team in Europe last year.
After the match
When you leave the Aviva, again there are no shortage of nearby pubs full of sporting fans with whom you can engage in a bit of amateur post-match analysis, breaking down the action of the day and re-living the excitement.
Fancy a festive afternoon out at the rugby?
Join the roar for Leinster vs Exeter at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, December 16 at 3.15pm.
Tickets are on sale HERE.
