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The Ricoh Arena will host some of the 2007 Rugby World Cup’s biggest names when European champions London Wasps kick off the defence of their Heineken Cup crown at the venue on 10th November.

Wasps can boast seven of their team currently preparing for the Rugby World Cup Final with England, but following the final the likes of England skipper Phil Vickery and his Wasps team-mates Paul Sackey, Josh Lewsey,  Simon Shaw, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley and Tom Rees will be heading home to prepare for Wasps game against 2006 European Champions, Munster in Coventry.

This will be one of rugby supporters’ first chances to see their England heroes back in action on home soil, and Wasps will also be aiming to name French captain Raphael Ibanez, Irish international scrum half Eoin Reddan and Samoan flanker Dan Leo in their squad to play Munster, all ten players having seen action in the Rugby World Cup in recent weeks.

England skipper Vickery said: “Being able to launch Wasps’ Heineken Cup defence at a stadium like the Ricoh Arena is a fantastic opportunity. Having played our semi-final there last year, everyone in the squad was hugely impressed with the set-up there.

“For some of us this could be our first game back on English soil after the Rugby World Cup, but the combination of playing in a great competition like the Heineken Cup against Munster, one of the best teams in Europe, and in the surroundings of the Ricoh Arena means this is going to be a fantastic rugby experience for everyone playing and coming to support.”

The London Wasps team-mates will be facing Munster in their pool five Heineken Cup game at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, November 10, at 5.30pm.

Ricoh Arena chief executive Daniel Gidney said this was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand seven players who had been instrumental in England’s progress to the final.

“The television audience for Saturday’s semi-final reached over 12 million which highlights the backing for Brian Ashton’s squad,” he said.

“The momentum the players have built up over the last four weeks is remarkable and I know all sports fans will be cheering them on in the hope that England can become the first country to defend the World Cup.

“The Heineken Cup match will probably be the players’ first club game since the World Cup and it is a great chance for people to come along to the Ricoh to show their appreciation for their efforts throughout the tournament as well as watch a great game.”

The pool game has been switched to the 32,500 capacity Ricoh because Wasps’ ground, Adams Park, is limited to 10,000.

Tickets are currently on sale for the showdown between Wasps and Munster by contacting Ticketmaster’s hotline on 08444 121 747 or by calling into the Ricoh Arena. Wasps supporters can also call London Wasps Ticket office on 0870 414 1515.