The European club rugby finals will "break new ground" in '18 when the Champions Cup, Challenge Cup and Continental Shield finals take place in Spain for the first time, according to the IRISH TIMES. The newly developed San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao -- home to La Liga side Athletic Bilbao -- will stage the three games with the '19 finals taking place at St. James’ Park in Newcastle. The home of Newcastle United, which holds over 52,000 fans, "previously hosted three games during the Rugby World Cup" in '15. European Professional Club Rugby Chair Simon Halliday said, "Bilbao is an excellent destination which breaks new ground for our tournaments and we see this as a big step in the expansion of our sport across the continent" (IRISH TIMES, 4/3). The BBC reported both cities "will also stage the final of the European Continental Shield, a feeder competition for the Challenge Cup aimed at clubs from the likes of Russia, Spain, Germany and Belgium." Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country, "which covers part of southwest France and includes Biarritz, who play in the second tier of French rugby" (BBC, 4/3).
