Captains of the Heineken Cup teams gathered at Murrayfield on Monday

Murrayfield will play host to what is presently the fastest-selling Heineken Cup final in the tournament's 14-year history, organisers have announced.

European Rugby Cup chairman Jean-Pierre Lux said that 17,350 tickets had been sold for the May final in Edinburgh.

"We've had a record-breaking start to our sales campaign for the 2009 Heineken Cup final," he said.

"And our research proves that, once the tournament action kicks-off, more and more people begin to think about it."

The announcement was made at an official launch at Murrayfield of this season's competition, which kicks-off this weekend.

Scottish Rugby chief executive Gordon McKie was hopeful of surpassing the 2005 tournament, when the final was last staged at the 67,000-capacity stadium.

Our target for the 2009 final must be to deliver another big crowd and produce with our partners the best ever Heineken Cup final Scottish Rugby chief executive Gordon McKie

"We are delighted at this terrific early demand for tickets," he said.

"The Heineken Cup has grown in stature and popularity in recent years. It is a world-class event and we are honoured the final is returning to Edinburgh for the first time in four years.

"In 2005, a crowd of more than 51,000 saw Toulouse beat Stade Francais Paris 18-12 after extra-time in an all-French final.

"That final was widely regarded as the most successful tournament to that point in engaging with supporters and bringing on board partners to promote the final as an event in itself.

"Our target for the 2009 final must be to deliver another big crowd and produce with our partners the best ever Heineken Cup final."