Incredible antics here.
The Leinster fans wanted a blue wave to welcome the European champions onto the pitch at Bath’s Recreation Ground this afternoon.
Unfortunately, some Grade A jobsworthiness has denied them the opportunity.
Leinster take on Bath at The Rec in their third Champions Cup pool encounter of the season. Having lost away to Toulouse in their last European outing, Leo Cullen’s men will be keenly aware that back-to-back wins over the English side are required to boost their chances of a trophy they claimed back in May.
Leinster have taken a strong team to The Rec, captained by Johnny Sexton, and they are expected to have plenty of travelling support too.
In the lead-up to the game, Bath set the scene and showed local fans that there will be a free flag at their seats upon arrival.
IT’S GAMEDAY!
The flags are out ready to get behind the 🔵⚫️⚪️.
There’s still time to watch all the action here at the Rec & this could be your view of the action.
🎟 Last remaining tickets ➡️ https://t.co/avbvn645qj pic.twitter.com/uLihF0AVnw
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) December 8, 2018
The Leinster hordes, close to 1,500 of them, were planning on some flag-waving of their own but those plans have been hindered.
According to the Official Leinster Rugby Supporters Club, Bath refused to allow members to distribute the flags as they ‘failed a health and safety test’.
.@leinsterrugby supporters: We brought 1500 flags over today’s game and @bathrugby are refusing to let us distribute them. They are saying that the flags failed a health and safety test. pic.twitter.com/wNxZxMfTey
— Leinster Supporters (@OLSCRugby) December 8, 2018
These flags have been passed as safe by Airports and stadia all over the world. We would like to apologise to supporters for this disappointing news. We did everything we could to get the flags from Bath but they wouldn’t release them.
— Leinster Supporters (@OLSCRugby) December 8, 2018
The same flags have been proudly flown across Europe, and down in South Africa, but Bath have nixed the plans to get them into the hands of Leinster fans today.
All is not lost, however, and the OLSC will be handing out blue Santa hats to fans heading to this afternoon’s big game.
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