Northampton Saints fly-half Fin Smith says his side have had an “eye-opening history lesson” about Croke Park before they face Leinster in Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final.

Saints will be the first English club to play at The Gaelic Athletic Association’s (GAA) headquarters.

On Bloody Sunday on 21 November 1920, 14 people were killed when British forces opened fire on a crowd attending a Gaelic football match at the stadium.

The killings took place against the backdrop of the Irish War of Independence.

GAA rules allow for other sports to be given access to association venues for “events of national significance”.

In March, the GAA agreed “rugby and soccer activity” could take place at the venue in the coming months.

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin is unavailable, with the venue preparing to host the Europa League final on 22 May.