For Sale Sharks, the match represents their last realistic chance of silverware. "This is a massive game for us and a victory would give us the opportunity of playing at Twickenham in the final and the chance to earn a place in next seasons Heineken Cup", said their Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre. “The last time we played Sale in a cup game I know who the better team was," Leicester Tigers coach Pat Howard said, recalling bad memories of their last big meeting.

In Wales the rivalry has become more heated. Former Ospreys and Blues team manager Derwyn Jones described their clash as a 'grudge' match. "There is an edge there. There is no getting away from it and no point trying to play it down because there is a dislike and huge rivalry between the two regions. The Mike Phillips issue has just added a bit more spice."

Cardiff Blues coach Dai Young agreed that the all Welsh match created a natural rivalry. "Grudge is a word that seems to have been bandied about", he said, "but I would prefer to call it rivalry.I think whenever any of the Welsh regions meet you are going to get that and the fact that it is a semi-final adds to it."

Tickets are available now through www.ticketmaster.co.uk and on the day from the Millennium Stadium ticket office on St. Mary Street, Cardiff, while both matches are live on the BBC, the first (Leicester Tigers versus Sale Sharks) kicks off at 2.30pm on BBC1 and the second (Ospreys versus Cardiff Blues) kicks off at 5.15pm on BBC2.