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Dublin: 15 °C Sunday 19 May, 2013

So, this is where Ulster will play their Heineken Cup quarter final

Allianz Park is the ‘plastic pitch’ that will be the new home of Saracens.

Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/Press Association Images

SARACENS USED THE weekend LV Cup tie with Cardiff Blues as a ‘test event’ for their new £24 million home, Allianz Park.

The ground is the first purpose-built artificial surface for rugby union and is likely to be the venue when Ulster travel to play their Heineken Cup quarter final on April 6.

Former Leinster youth, Robin Copeland, earned himself the honour of scoring the first competitive try on the surface, but the home side overcame a narrow 6-8 half time deficit to win out 19-11 in front of a crowd limited to 3,500.

Here’s how the surface looks – only minor visible signs of the carpet burn which usually goes hand-in-hand with playing on astro.

So, this is where Ulster will play their Heineken Cup quarter final
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  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

    Cardiff Blues' Robin Copeland runs into Saracens' Eoin Shefiff (left) and James Short.
  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

    Saracens' Duncan Taylor is tackled by Cardiff Blues' Gavin Evans (bottom left).
  • Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.

Image credits: Andrew Matthews/ Press Association.

Having passed the ‘test’ in the new venue, Sarries will be able to bring the capacity up to 10,000 for their next home fixture against Exeter and they could squeeze 15,000 in for Ulster’s European Cup visit.

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