FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has vetoed Perpignan's plan to host Racing-Metro at the Camp Nou but the Catalans will still play a game in Spain this season.

Perpignan had hoped to stage the game against Racing at Barcelona's mythical 98 000-seater stadium on April 15 but Guardiola has put his foot down and denied the request due to fears that a rugby match would damage the pitch.

But USAP's desire to take a big rugby game to their fellow Catalans on the Spanish side of the border has not been diminished and are now planning to host European champions and current Top 14 leaders Toulouse at the 55 000-seater Olympic Stadium at Montjuïc.

The change in plan isn't necessarily bad news since the initial game against Racing would have clashed with soccer's classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, hence reducing media interest.

Perpignan president Paul Goze has said that the match against Toulouse is "95 per cent" sure to go ahead at Montjuïc on April 2.

http://www.planetrugby.com/