CARDIFF’S Millennium Stadium is set to be unveiled tomorrow as the venue for the 2014 Heineken Cup final after the French Rugby Federation withdrew last month from staging it in Paris.

Their decision to back down from holding European club rugby’s premier tournament final arose because of uncertainty over the availability of the Stade de France.

And it could also mean Cardiff Blues will be given the green light to stage the Amlin Cup final at Cardiff Arms Park.

The Amlin Cup final usually takes place in the same city as the Heineken Cup final, the night before.

A press conference will be held at the home of Welsh rugby tomorrow morning when European Rugby Cup chief executive Derek McGrath and Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis are expected to confirm the news.

Cardiff has already staged more Heineken Cup finals than any other city – six in total – the last being 2011’s classic encounter between Leinster and Northampton which the Irish province won 33-22. The Amlin final that year was held at the Cardiff City Stadium with Harlequins beating Stade Français. Should the Blues host the Amlin Cup final at Cardiff Arms Park, it would be a real coup for them.

They will play on an artificial pitch next season with the hope of bringing a more entertaining brand of rugby to the Welsh capital.

The region have secured funds to lay a state-of-the-art surface, similar to that used by Saracens at the Allianz Stadium.

The new FieldTurf surface , launched in 2011, is designed to allow rainfall to drain straight through the system and is used by the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid at their training headquarters.

Meanwhile the WRU and BBC have announced a new agreement which guarantees exclusive live coverage of Wales’ autumn internationals at the Millennium Stadium until 2018. This autumn, Wales host South Africa on Saturday, November 9 (kick-off 5.30pm), Argentina on Saturday, November 16 (kick-off 2.30pm), Tonga on Friday, November 22 (kick-off 7.30pm) and Australia on Saturday, November, 30 (kick-off 5pm).

Referring to the feelgood factor after the British and Irish Lions’ recent Test series win over Australia, WRU chief executive Lewis said: “Set against the mouth-watering prospect of the returning Welsh Lions coaching staff and players facing Test matches against South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia at the Millennium Stadium this autumn, this announcement is incredibly significant for the future of Welsh rugby.

“A seat to watch Wales take on four of the top sides in world rugby this November has increased in value, though not in price, as a direct result of the heroics of the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones in Australia this summer.”

The agreement also covers potential one-off Test matches, such as previous fixtures played in June before a summer tour.