The Crusaders' earthquake-disrupted Super 15 campaign has been given a boost by confirmation they will play their sixth-round match against the Sharks at Twickenham in London.
The franchise last week asked the Rugby Football Union if it could host the March 26 fixture because AMI Stadiumwas unusable because of damage caused by last month's Christchurch earthquake.
The RFU turned down the request for logistical reasons, with Harlequins set for a home game on the same day.
However, RFU spokesman Peter Thomas confirmed yesterday the game would now be held on March 27.
"It's all dropped into place; we're able to look at getting it going for the 27th," he told Radio Live.
Thomas said the British Red Cross was getting in behind the game and 5 ($NZ11) from every ticket would go towards the Christchurch appeal.
"We know we've got 900,000 South Africans in the London metropolitan area, 600,000 Australians and a quarter of a million Kiwis, so we're hoping they'll come out for it."
Earlier, Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said the Sharks had been "really supportive" of the proposal, and were keen to do something to help Christchurch and the Crusaders.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders should know today where they will play their game against the Crusaders next month.
The return match against the Highlanders was scheduled for Christchurch on April 23 - Easter Saturday - but that is no longer an option.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said the Crusaders board was meeting yesterday and a decision was expected to be announced today.
He had suggested to the Crusaders playing the game in Queenstown with a big holiday crowd in the resort.
The other option for the Highlanders match was to play the game in Timaru, which would attract support from both regions.
Alpine Energy Stadium has a capacity of 12,000.
