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Join Sharks in Europe

16/ 5/2008

SHARKS season ticket holders will be treated to top-flight European rugby at Edgeley Park next season.

Sale bagged their spot in the Heineken Cup with an away victory over Harlequins and supporters can secure their place too with a season ticket.

Season tickets for 2008/09, which include three Heineken Cup pool matches, are now on general sale.

The Heineken Cup is one of the most prestigious trophies in world rugby and the competition involves 24 leading clubs from six countries.

England: Six teams selected by performance in Guinness Premiership, European Challenge Cup and EDF Energy Cup. Among them next season will be Sharks, Gloucester, London Wasps, Bath, Leicester Tigers and either Harlequins or Worcester Warriors.

France: Seven teams - selected by performance in Top 14 Championship.

Ireland: Three teams - selected by performance in Magners League.

Wales: Four teams - selected by performance in Magners League.

Scotland: Two teams - selected by performance in Magners League.

Italy: Two teams - selected by performance in Super 10 Championship.

The draw for the composition of the Pools will be decided on a new merit-based ranking structure, with Sharks currently in 12th position in the ERC European ranking.

This means Sharks are likely to be drawn against either Munster, Toulouse, Biarritz Olympique or Stade Francais in the first round.

The teams will be finalised, once the French league concludes, in late June and the fixtures will be announced in July.

The current Heineken Cup champions are London Wasps, who beat Leicester Tigers 25-9 in the 2007 final at Twickenham.

Munster take on three-times champions Toulouse in this year’s European final on May 24.

Heineken Cup pool matches next season are due to take place on:

October 18 and 25

December 6 and 13

January 17 and 24, 2009

Sharks fans can guarantee their seats for the home ties by becoming a season ticket holder.

Season tickets start from £149 for adults and £59 for juniors.