twickenham stadium (82,000)

[Noostairz]

the remains of the south stand after demolition on the 10th of july - go here for the video: http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s98/st77090.htm

http://www.sportnetwork.net/mainadmin/img/981121298047.jpg

[Noostairz]

just googled it and all articles seem to agree that the new stand will be completed in the second half of 2007. no idea when construction will start, though. right away, presumably?

[eddyk]

Great find....just what I was looking for, images of the demolished stand.

[Noostairz]

may as well remind ourselves of what it'll look like when it's finished:

http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/Stadium_Bowl_Persp.jpg

i seem to remember some kid posting a pic of a model of the completed twickenham bowl but i can't find it anywhere. anyone?

[Madman]

Is this the model you mean?

http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/photos/consult2.jpg

[Noostairz]

yeah nice one, but it was more of an aerial shot of it. he was doing a stadium tour and sneaked a pic. i can't remember his name but i have a funny feeling he doesn't visit the forums anymore.

[CharlieP]

I pinched a copy of that photo when it was posted, but it's on my hard drive at work, so I'll have to uplink it from home if anybody wants to see it.

If anybody wants to see how much progress they've made in a month, Sky Sports are showing the Middlesex Sevens on Sat 13 August.

[CharlieP]

I pinched a copy of that photo when it was posted, but it's on my hard drive at work, so I'll have to uplink it from home if anybody wants to see it.

If anybody wants to see how much progress they've made in a month, Sky Sports are showing the Middlesex Sevens on Sat 13 August.

Watched the Sevens on Saturday, and the only change from the photo at the top of the thread is that the ends of the West and East Stands (the bits without any seats) have been demolished. The South Stand itself is still just the way it ended up after demolition, with the top tier plopped on top of the bottom tier and the roof sections looking a bit sorry for themselves. I can't see it looking much different on 3 August (Guinness Premiership Double Header), but I'm guessing the site will be cleared by the November internationals and the bottom tier might be in place for the Six Nations...

Oh, and when I went to post the picture of the model from home the site was down (didn't have a shortcut to the UK Section). Will try again.

[CharlieP]

Did anybody see Blue Peter today? I was having a quick chat with my neighbour when I arrived home from work, and he told me he'd just been watching a segment on the demolition of the South Stand.

As luck would have it, I'd left my Sky+ box on BBC ONE, so I was able to rewind 40 minutes and watch it myself :)

[eddyk]

Missed it :(

What was said then?

[CharlieP]

A female presenter with a strong sarf-east accent was shown around the site and was allowed to put a stick of dynamite in a pre-drilled hole. They then showed the demolition from a few different angles. Bosh.

[jimbo]

A female presenter with a strong sarf-east accent was shown around the site and was allowed to put a stick of dynamite in a pre-drilled hole. They then showed the demolition from a few different angles. Bosh.

Funnily enough I was at my mum's in Brittany with the tv aerial facing Jersey to pick up the cricket and I saw the same bit re: the South Stand. They had the England U21 captain sat in the North Stand with the gurning Blue Peter totty, both with suitably excited reactions when the stand disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Here's a view of the South Stand site which they are still in the process of clearing from yesterday's Premiership double header.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/6696/img01751zv.jpg

Seeing Justin Marshall was rather exciting, although the rest of the Tykes team failed to show up really.

[CharlieP]

Good effort sir! I the highlights of the "London" Double Header (Wycombe Wasps v Watford Saracens and Leeds Tykes v Reading Irish :)) so caught glimpses of the South Stand before watching Bath blow chance after chance and miss kick after kick and lose to Brizzle :( They've cleared a lot more than I expected in three weeks!

Justin Marshall was also on the promo sequence at the start of the programme, for the "Guhnnuhss Primiershuhp" :)

[Ciudad Bristol]

It appears they were not using the top tier. Is the capacity going to be limited to 35,000 untill the south stand is complete?

Bristol should avoid relegation this year if they play like that!

[CharlieP]

It appears they were not using the top tier. Is the capacity going to be limited to 35,000 untill the south stand is complete?


No, more like 60,000, then 70,000ish when the lower tier of the South Stand opens next year...

[jimbo]

It appears they were not using the top tier. Is the capacity going to be limited to 35,000 untill the south stand is complete?

Bristol should avoid relegation this year if they play like that!

nope - it's simply that the Premiership Doubleheader, even though attracting 31,000 people, can't fill a 3/4 built stadium with a capacity of around 62,000. It will be full to bursting for the autumn internationals against NZ and South Africa etc. the North and West Stands were much fuller.

[gothicform]

anyone know how tall the stadium will be?

[CharlieP]

anyone know how tall the stadium will be?

It'll be as tall as it is now, since the new stand won't go above the existing roofline - all I know is that it's "approaching 50 metres".

[Noostairz]

something i wasn't totally aware of, the redevelopment should be completed by june 2007. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/4649445.stm)

[StiffUpper]

They really ought to include Twickenham in any 2018 football world cup bid we make.

[eddyk]

Nah, only 2 London stadiums are allowed.

And they will be Wembley and the Emirates.

[eddyk]

Charlie, you're the rugby man.


What is the latest news on this great development?

[ForeverSalfordRed]

Wonder if the RL Challenge Cup would go there if Wembley isnt finished?

[CharlieP]

Charlie, you're the rugby man.


What is the latest news on this great development?

Assuming you missed the England v Australia international at the weekend, you can take a good look this weekend - England v New Zealand is on Sky Sports 2 from 14:15 to 17:00 on Saturday, with highlights on BBC THREE from 19:00 to 20:00 and again in Sunday Grandstand on BBC TWO the next day.

Basically, the old stand has completely gone, and the foundations seem to be in place, but there's no real structure there yet...

[CharlieP]

Wonder if the RL Challenge Cup would go there if Wembley isnt finished?

Doubt it - it won't be finished until 2007...

[Noostairz]

today:

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3702/twickenham7lv.jpg

[CharlieP]

There's been more progress than I expected - you can see a few concrete pillars plus the shape of one of the vomitories to the right of the video screen.

I'm going to be really sad and record the Varsity Match a week on Tuesday (Sky Sports 1 13:30) to see how it's coming along - the next game after that is England v Wales on 4 February next year.

[Ciudad Bristol]

today:

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3702/twickenham7lv.jpg

Nice one Eden, keep up the good work. I'll try and get a shot from the air in January as I'll be flying out of Heathrow then.

[nicksanderson]

"Wonder if the RL Challenge Cup would go there if Wembley isnt finished"

" They really ought to include Twickenham in any 2018 football world cup bid we make."

I think that Tiwickenham has a very strick license and I think they already hold the maximum number of events per year that they're allowed.

[CharlieP]

Only just realised that the RFU website has progress photos here! (http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/index.cfm?StoryID=10054)

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_1205b.jpg

[inquisitor57]

They're getting a move on with that aren't they.

This stadium should look pretty impressive when its complete, are they going to do anything to disguise how ugly the bare concrete looks though?

[CharlieP]

This stadium should look pretty impressive when its complete, are they going to do anything to disguise how ugly the bare concrete looks though?

Yes - with the new stand they're disguising it by sticking a hotel on the front :D

[jimbo]

Only just realised that the RFU website has progress photos here! (http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/index.cfm?StoryID=10054)

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_1205b.jpg

Good stuff, nice to see the bottom of the terraces starting to take shape. I think the stand is due to be opened for the November internationals next year.

[eddyk]

They're getting a move on with that aren't they.

This stadium should look pretty impressive when its complete, are they going to do anything to disguise how ugly the bare concrete looks though?

No; as far as I know the backs of the remaining 3 stands will still be just as ugly as they are now, as i've heard no plans of re-clads and paint jobs.

[inquisitor57]

Thats a shame, even a new coat of white paint would do.

[gorgu]

If they get there arses in gear they should be able to have the botom tier open for the end of the six nations in april surely?

[Noostairz]

nice one charlie!

and yeah, i remember reading in the guardian back before we beat the aussies recently that the plan was to have the lower tier open for the six nations. i'm not sure if that'll be possible, though.

[Iain1974]

nice one charlie!

and yeah, i remember reading in the guardian back before we beat the aussies recently that the plan was to have the lower tier open for the six nations. i'm not sure if that'll be possible, though.

With Rugby, there's no major internationals at home between April and November so I think the first time we see it in use it'll be for a Kiwi, Saffie or Aussie game.

[CharlieP]

If they get there arses in gear they should be able to have the botom tier open for the end of the six nations in april surely?

The last game in the Six Nations is on 18 March, when England play Ireland - it should definitely be open by then. England's only other home game is the first game of the tournament, against Wales on 4 February.

[CharlieP]

The last game in the Six Nations is on 18 March, when England play Ireland - it should definitely be open by then. England's only other home game is the first game of the tournament, against Wales on 4 February.

...and I'm actually going to stick my neck out and say I think the lower tier will be open for that game too.

[Noostairz]

did anyone order a lower tier?

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_030106.jpg

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_060106b.jpg

[Sparks]

Very fast, are they looking at potentially opening the bottom tier for the six nations?

[CharlieP]

Very fast, are they looking at potentially opening the bottom tier for the six nations?

I've already stuck my neck out and predicted that they will, so I'll be keeping a close eye on progress for the next four weeks!

[Noostairz]

back in the day - look at that west stand!

does anyone else have any old pre-redevelopment pictures of twickenham?

http://www.compuserve.co.uk/channels/sport/rugby/five_nations/structure_images/twickenham.jpg

[Noostairz]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_060106b.jpg

what a difference four days makes!

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_100106a.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_100106b.jpg

[CharlieP]

Looks like they're working weekends - my prediction (open for England v Wales on 4 Feb) looks better every day :)

[eddyk]

OMG.

Amazing speed.

[Gherkin]

4th Feb? lol! Are you mad son? Hope you're just talking about the bottom tier... it's already matching Old Trafford for the speed of the construction

[CharlieP]

4th Feb? lol! Are you mad son? Hope you're just talking about the bottom tier... it's already matching Old Trafford for the speed of the construction

Of course I'm only talking about the bottom tier - I really would be mad otherwise!

[CharlieP]

OK, if this:

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_030106.jpghttp://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_100106a.jpg

is how much they can do in a week, then I reckon the pre-cast concrete should all be in place in another four, it's just a case of whether or not they can fit 5,000 seats, and how well thought out all the access arrangements are, as nobody will be sitting there if it's not granted a safety certificate!

[Sparks]

Tickets are going on sale for the wales game for the lower tier, however the safety certificate won't be granted until 48 hours before the game.

[eddyk]

Sparks...the man in the know.

[eddyk]

Also...

Updates ever new days...where as for Wembley we have to wait a few months.

Tis great.

[MoreOrLess]

Also...

Updates ever new days...where as for Wembley we have to wait a few months.

Tis great.

I'd guess the main reason for the lack of wembley updates(and the rather obtuse shots used) is the level of publicity its garnering, why give possible ammunition to your ditractors?

[ForeverSalfordRed]

With Rugby, there's no major internationals at home between April and November so I think the first time we see it in use it'll be for a Kiwi, Saffie or Aussie game.

The Rugby League Tri Nations was on in November was it not?

[Iain1974]

The Rugby League Tri Nations was on in November was it not?

Can't see too many rugby league games being played at Twickenham.

[CharlieP]

The opening match of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup (England v Australia) and the 2001 Challenge Cup Final were both played at Twickenham while Wembley had the builders in, but I can't imagine rugby league being played there again...

[unfrequented]

in go the seating brackets :)

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_130106.jpg

[The Hunted]

Amazing how fast they got that first tier up!

[eddyk]

in go the seating brackets :)

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_130106.jpg


Same again with the seconds tier please.

[CharlieP]

Tickets are going on sale for the wales game for the lower tier, however the safety certificate won't be granted until 48 hours before the game.

icWales has this story (http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0500rugbyunion/0200news/tm_objectid=16587047%26method=full%26siteid=50082%26headline=twickers%2dbig%2dmatch%2dseat%2dscare%2d%2d-name_page.html) - haven't read anything similar anywhere else though...

[Sparks]

back in the day - look at that west stand!

does anyone else have any old pre-redevelopment pictures of twickenham?

http://www.compuserve.co.uk/channels/sport/rugby/five_nations/structure_images/twickenham.jpg

http://stades.mythiques.9online.fr/twickenham.htm

[Noostairz]

good find, sparks.

1981 and you can just about make out the (now old) south stand at the far end of the picture:

http://stades.mythiques.9online.fr/Twickenham3ongl.jpg

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_160106.jpg

[Madman]

wow they're fast, look at the amount of seats already in

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_190106.jpg

[CharlieP]

Why is the leftmost of the four vomitories behind the dead ball line larger than the other three, or is it just an illusion?

[Sparks]

Illusion I think, although it does look strangely bigger. Still it's looking on course to just about be ready in time.

[CharlieP]

The safety certificate inspection is to be carried out one week on Wednesday - it's going to be very interesting watching these progress photos, especially if you have a South Stand ticket for England v Wales :)

I have every confidence it will be ready though.

[Sparks]

Some old but watermarked photos.

1963

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/3264855.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=10276273D480F6D8306C952B234FB056

1980

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/3293009.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=C06051C8BA2A5A2CE93247083E2554C8

1988

http://delivery.gettyimages.com/xc/1633107.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19336666AA937B3127E0038E31C0969A720

http://delivery.gettyimages.com/xc/1633103.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19336666AA937B3127E3E26A8BB724B4F70

1992

http://delivery.gettyimages.com/xc/1633134.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19336666AA937B3127ECA2E70A14DE69D25

1993 as seen before

http://delivery.gettyimages.com/xc/1633142.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19336666AA937B3127EAE8ABB2D81E622E5

1995

http://delivery.gettyimages.com/xc/1256309.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193590E0C525962F884FE0CE7761E071FD9

http://delivery.gettyimages.com/xc/1256274.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193590E0C525962F8842814BA7EFDC8B9DB

http://delivery.gettyimages.com/xc/1035159.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193969CF11AA6466A3092E4A62DAECCBD1D

[Scarecrow]

The old pics look just like old Goodison. :)

[eddyk]

It's a shame only 2 of the images work for me.


EDIT:
Make that none.

[Jerv]

Why is the leftmost of the four vomitories behind the dead ball line larger than the other three, or is it just an illusion?

Looks like a spaz antrance to me. You can see the flat section coming off it.

[Gherkin]

^ well it does look like that is the case, there is a ramp there for sure. I think the word you were 'looking' for was disabled entrance. ;)

[Jerv]

^^Thats the one. I beleive the official PC term was Cripple not so long ago. They get all the perks don't they. Park anywhere, best seats in the stadium, clean roomy bogs etc. Joke

[CharlieP]

EDIT: Looks as though somebody just remembered to upload yesterday's photo:

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_230106.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_240106.jpg

[The Hunted]

^^ Amazing speed!!!!!!!

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_260106.jpg

[Madman]

ooh whats that tower thing in the background, it looks like a core?

[Starscraper]

Its probably part of the south stand, the 2nd and 3rd tiers will be attached to it. I remember that Wembley had similar looking cores.

[CharlieP]

No, it's way too far back to be part of the stand - it'll be a lift core for the hotel.

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_300106.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_300106b.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_300106c.jpg

[CharlieP]

Should be absolutely no problem getting the safety certificate on Wednesday, and being ready for England v Wales on Saturday...

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_310106.jpg

[jimbo]

Should be absolutely no problem getting the safety certificate on Wednesday, and being ready for England v Wales on Saturday...

Good find and series of photos - saw the BBC website news for the team announcement saying that they can get another 7500 on that lower tier. Crikey, can't knock the RFU for trying to cram as many in as possible and further filling their coffers. Different context, but what a contrast to the woes at Wembley eh!

[Madman]

^in that pic, is the smaller lift core nearer the lower tier going to serve the south stand? or is for the hotel/conference centre too?

[Sparks]

7500 seems a hell of a lot of seats for a stand that size.

[CharlieP]

I previously read in a couple of sources that it was only 5,000...

[The Hunted]

Destruction of the old south stand was shown on a programme called "The Blasters" on The Discovery Channel yesterday.

[The Hunted]

Double post

[CharlieP]

Destruction of the old south stand was shown on a programme called "The Blasters" on The Discovery Channel yesterday.

You could have told us earlier - it was repeated in the early hours of this morning :(

[CharlieP]

7500 seems a hell of a lot of seats for a stand that size.

I count 32 rows of seating - not including the vomitories and the fact that there are more seats in the rows further back, that's an average of 234 seats per row.

There are ten "blocks" of seating going left to right, so an average of 23.4 seats in a row in each block. I can just about buy that.

[Its AlL gUUd]

^^ Clever

[The Hunted]

You could have told us earlier - it was repeated in the early hours of this morning :(


Sorry,

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_020206.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_020206b.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_020206c.jpg

[Noostairz]

it looks great. the twickenham people have been fantastic in their coverage of this development. wembley management please take note.

what are the odds on the next two tiers being ready for the autumn internationals? care to stick your neck out again, charlie? ;)

[CharlieP]

it looks great. the twickenham people have been fantastic in their coverage of this development. wembley management please take note.

what are the odds on the next two tiers being ready for the autumn internationals? care to stick your neck out again, charlie? ;)

Yep - I say they won't be :)

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/Stadium_Bowl_Persp.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_020206b.jpg

[inquisitor57]

Looks like it should be magnificant from the inside. However unless they plan to use new material for the roof all the way round I don't think it will be as see through as they've shown some how ;). Hopefully theres some plans in the future to paint the outside.

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_030206.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_030206b.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_030206c.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/south_view1_030206.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/south_view1_030206b.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/south_view1_030206c.jpg

[Noostairz]

Yep - I say they won't be :)

well according to the bbc they will be. :)

[Welshlad]

Arse

[danJonze87]

yeah, what welshlad said




Arse

[CharlieP]

well according to the bbc they will be. :)

Yeah, I heard John Inverdale say that too - I know the whole development (including hotel etc.) will be finished in "mid 2007", but I suppose it's feasible that all the seating will be available by November this year...

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_150206.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/south_view1_150206.jpg

[CharlieP]

Interesting to note that they've taken away the steps from the front of the stand - presumably they're going to add the two rows of seating and wheelchair spaces that the other three stands have in time for the Ireland match on 18 March...

[CharlieP]

I read in the Sunday Times today that 7,600 people were sitting in the South Stand in the England v Wales match, and that an extra 800 spaces will be available for the Ireland match next month.

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_210206.jpg

[Noostairz]

EDIT (picture removed): mr. p beat me to it by one minute :D

[gorgu]

I love the way that the stadia for the international rugby teams are the match if not better than anything football can provide in this country :-)

Think about it, how many stadia in the UK (with the exception of the new Wembly) are better than Twickenham, Millenium and Murrayfield?

[Its AlL gUUd]

^^True but thats because Most of the money in Rugby goes into International Rugby which is why the main stadiums are really good, but the club stadia in Football are far superior then anything Rugby can provide.

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_270206.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_270206b.jpg

[Ciudad Bristol]

Looking good. When is the second tier likely to be finished. How many seats will the two tiers then have?

[london lad]

Charlie P- can u give us a link to where your getting those Pics from as I can tfind any on the RFU website

cheers

[The Hunted]

http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/index.cfm

[reyrey]

http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/index.cfm

[Noostairz]

6th march:

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/march_south5.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/march_south4.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/march_south6.jpg

[cromwell]

The old pics look just like old Goodison. :)

Same designer, Archiebold Leitch (not sure of spelling.)

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april04_1.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april04_2.jpg

[eddyk]

Why take two photos from almost the exact same place?!

[Philip Cronin]

I think they are webcam captures from different times on the same day

[embe]

Coming along nicely. The stadium will look superb when a complete bowl.

[CharlieP]

No new construction photos on the website, but there's an animation showing what it will look like:

http://www.rfu.com/debentures/animation_index.cfm

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april18_1.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april18_2.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april18_3.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april18_4.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april18_5.jpg

[CharlieP]

You can just make out that the lower sections of the screen ends are being removed to make way for the new second tier...

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april25_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april25_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april25_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/april25_04.jpg

In other news, yesterday Twickenham was announced as the venue for next year's Heineken Cup Final.

[Its AlL gUUd]

didn't twickenham host the final 2 or 3 years ago?

[CharlieP]

didn't twickenham host the final 2 or 3 years ago?

Yes - 2000 (Northampton beat Munster) and 2004 (Wasps beat Toulouse).

Personally, I think the Stade de France should have had next year's (France has only had two finals - 1998 in Bordeaux and 2001 at Parc des Princes), then Twickenham the 2008 final and the new Lansdowne Road 2009...

[Its AlL gUUd]

^^ Not that i mind, i am pretty happy with Twickenham hosting the final next year, especially with the new stand and all that. i think twickenham got due to its capacity, there are only a few major rugby stadia.

[CharlieP]

Stade de France or Murrayfield will almost certainly host in 2008, since Lansdowne Road won't be ready, and Cardiff will have hosted four out of twelve finals which is just a little bit greedy :)

[london lad]

Whats the timeframe for this- Its going up really fast- The 2nd tier should be done by late summer- Would the top tier be in place for the Autumn tests??

[CharlieP]

If you look at the Events List (http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/dsp_events_list.cfm?list=fixtures) on the RFU microsite, it says that the expected attendance for the Challenge Cup Final on 26 August is 72,000, and 82,000 for the autumn internationals from 11 November onwards. Since the capacity for the Wales and Ireland games was around 70-71,000, I think this implies that the top two tiers won't be open for the rugby league, but the last two rows of the bottom tier (currently boarded off to stop people falling off the back) will be open because the structure behind the tier will be in place... Everything should be open for the autumn internationals.

[LeedsLad]

So does the RFU own Twickenham? Does it make a profit? There can't be that many sell out events?

[CharlieP]

Yes, the RFU owns Twickenham - they had the foresight to buy the land (which used to be a vegetable garden) in 1907, and the first international was played against Wales in 1910. There are always at least three sell-out matches a year (two Six Nations games and an autumn international v Australia), usually four because one of the other autumn internationals is often against New Zealand or South Africa, and every other year the Six Nations game v Italy is close to full. On top of that the Premiership Final and Cup final are well over half-full, and there are a number of other matches such as the London Double-Header, London Sevens, Middlesex Sevens, Schools Day, Army v Navy, Varsity Match etc. which help top up the coffers. Believe me, it makes a profit, and it will continue to do so once the hotel, gym etc. are open...

[Ciudad Bristol]

The top two tiers (as well as the Hotel) are being built using steel frames as opposed to concrete for the lower tier. This should speed up construction of the South Stand for completion at the end of the year.

[CharlieP]

Are you sure about that? You can see the concrete support pillars rising behind the lower tier in the same place that they're sited in the other three stands...

[embe]

Its moving on quickly and if its finished by the end of the year as planned then it will have been a very quick construction.

Unfortunately another example of where rugby has got it right but football has not.

[Gherkin]

^^ nice dig ;)

[CharlieP]

Again, for anybody who wants to see how the stand is progressing, highlights of the Army v Navy game are being shown on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday after the Gloucester v Wasps match (probably around 17:00).

Later in the month, the Guinness Premiership final and England v Barbarians match are also on Sky (27 and 28 May respectively).

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may5_1.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may5_2.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may5_3.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may5_4.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may5_5.jpg

[Madman]

wahay they are going to start on the 2nd tier of terracing soon by the looks of it :)

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may11_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may11_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may11_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may11_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/may11_06.jpg

[Turbosnail]

I have always thought that even without the new stand being built, Twickenham looks bigger than it is - 90,000 seats or so.. it just seems so vast when your in there.

[Madman]

Its all down to the imposing brutalist concrete. ;)

[CharlieP]

Another TV alert for stadium-watchers:

Sat 27 May 14:30 - Sky Sports 2 - Guinness Premiership Final
Sun 28 May 14:30 - Sky Sports 2 - England v Barbarians
Mon 29 May 13:00 - Sky Sports 1 - County Finals

Also, highlights of the London Sevens held the following weekend should be shown on one or more of the ITV channels about a week later.

[Jonny Gee]

Will Twickenham be used for the 2012 olympics.. and if so; what sports?

[Gherkin]

Rugby!!! www.london2012.org

[Madman]

Sadly not, when the IOC last year scrapped Baseball and Handball from the list of 28 Olympic sports they didnt replace them as hoped with 2 others (so no Rugby Sevens i am afraid :()

[Gherkin]

WHAT!!! Dam them!!! The Rugby Sevens was one of my favourite events! :(

[CharlieP]

"Was"?

[Noostairz]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june01_3.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june01_2.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june01_5.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june01_4.jpg

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june01_1.jpg

[spud]

i always thought the hosts could add 1 demonstration sport?...


if so they i'd put money on rugby 7's being in.

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june14_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june14_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june14_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june14_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june14_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_08.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_09.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_10.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_11.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/june21_12.jpg

[Madman]

Whoa loads of pics...looking good, i wonder when they will start installing the second tier of seating?

[nick_taylor]

Its a pity they couldn't have begun a 4th tier with aims to boost Twickenham eventually up to 100,000+.

I have to admit this is the second best stadium in all of the UK (behind Wembley of course). Atmosphere is great and now its all surrounded the atmosphere is going to be better. Gibs of the first third tier seats :D

[JackSwan]

the farm equipment, the freshly toiled earth....maybe it's just because i'm frarrm east anglia, but wouldn't a national field-ploughing sport be outstanding entertainment? 80,000 spectators gripped by agricultural high drama...which yokel loses his nerve first?

"what's he planting? what's he planting? ohhh...he's opted for cabbages - smart move!"

"no, you damned fool, the sandy soil provides perfect conditions for carrots! he really missed a golden opportunity to seal the points."


i could go on, but the medication's wearing off now...

[Madman]

Exactly which part of East Anglia are you from? Lincolnshire ;)

[wearethefuture]

Went passed the stadium the other day, is going to look incredibly imposing when finished! Shame you can't see into the stadium from the road (behind the developed end) like you used to be able to, should look good when finished (and mahusive!!), hopefully i'll take some pictures next time i go passed too.

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_08.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_09.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_10.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_11.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july06_12.jpg

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_08.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_09.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_10.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_11.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july13_12.jpg

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_08.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_09.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_10.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_11.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/july28_12.jpg

[Madman]

At last the second tier has started, it is surprisingly quick how fast they can fit the concrete terraces in once they start.

[CharlieP]

Next appearances on TV:

12 August - Middlesex Sevens (Sky Sports Xtra)
26 August - Rugby league Challenge Cup final (BBC ONE)
10 September - Brief highlights of the London double-header on The Rugby Club (Sky Sports)

[Sy]

I love this stadium, the sound before this was amazing, can't wait to go back there once this is complete.

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_08.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_09.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_10.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_11.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_12.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/august08_13.jpg

[Marky_boy]

Will this be playing any part in the 2012 Olympics?

[The Hunted]

^^ They haven't got it down as one, which is a shame as it's a fine stadium.

[spud]

Will this be playing any part in the 2012 Olympics?

unless we get 7's in as a demonstration sport..no

[CharlieP]

I'm currently watching the Middlesex Sevens on Sky Sports Xtra (come on Bath!), and there's a little bit more concrete in place on the second tier. It's hard to believe the whole stand will be ready in 12 weeks though...

[jimbo]

I'm currently watching the Middlesex Sevens on Sky Sports Xtra (come on Bath!), and there's a little bit more concrete in place on the second tier. It's hard to believe the whole stand will be ready in 12 weeks though...

quite - was at the Premiership Double Header on Saturday cheering on my old Ncl Uni mate Hugh Vvyvan and have to say, that if the stand is finished for the November tests I'll eat my hat. Still two pieces of the middle tier decking not yet in place, no second tier seats yet and the top tier its still only a structural outline. The hotel at the back is simply a steel frame. Hmmm, wonder why they are so behind?

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september05_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september05_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september05_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september05_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september05_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september05_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september05_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september05_08.jpg

61 days to go until the New Zealand Test... :o

[Captain Chaos]

Looking pretty impressive.

As an aside, I copped a ban when I used my signature to make personal comments about another annoying forumer. Be careful Charlie. BTW, how's your flying going?

[Verbal Kint]

If yo were to sit in the bottom tier, would you get soaked if it was raining? That roof looks pretty short

[CharlieP]

If yo were to sit in the bottom tier, would you get soaked if it was raining?

It depends which way the wind is blowing :)

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september14_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september14_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september14_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september14_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september14_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september14_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september14_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september14_08.jpg

52 days until the New Zealand Test...

[CharlieP]

11 days since the last photo updates (and 41 days until the New Zealand Test) - I'm getting withdrawal symptoms... :)

The Sky cameras did zoom in on the outside of the new stand during the Quins v Leicester game on Saturday night, but I was at the rugby club so couldn't rewind, pause and examine in greater detail... :(

[freeluas]

Theres pictures on the Twickenham Rugby Stadium from their webcam dated 25th of September. Some of the seats on the second tier have been installed.

[The Hunted]

^^
Update
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Hunted316/september25_03.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Hunted316/september25_12.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Hunted316/september25_08.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Hunted316/september25_11.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Hunted316/september25_13.jpg
http://www.rfu.com (http://)

[CharlieP]

In the interests of completeness:

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_08.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_09.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_10.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_11.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_12.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_13.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_14.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_15.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_16.jpg

Hmmm, not as much progress as I would have expected :(

[The Hunted]

In the interests of completeness:

It was late!
I was going to put the rest of the pictures up later.

[CharlieP]

It was late!
I was going to put the rest of the pictures up later.

I hope you weren't opening each picture, copying the location and pasting it into SSC! All you need to do is take the first one:

<IMG>http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/september25_01.jpg</IMG> (square braces instead of <>),

paste it X times then change the number. 30 seconds' work. :) You sometimes even uncover ones that the RFU has forgotten to upload.

[CharlieP]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/5404560.stm

"The Rugby Football Union is hopeful Twickenham's South Stand will be ready for the grand opening on 5 November, when England host New Zealand."

Fingers crossed then!

[CharlieP]

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/october24_01.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/october24_02.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/october24_03.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/october24_04.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/october24_05.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/october24_06.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/october24_07.jpg
http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/october24_08.jpg

12 days until the New Zealand Test. Crapweasels! :(

[CharlieP]

For comparison, this was the state of completeness 12 days before the Wales Six Nations match....

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_230106.jpg

...and this is how much they managed to get done in the following 11 days:

http://www.rfu.com/images/webcam_images/east_view1_030206.jpg

[Chrisyd]

One of the former England stars, when asked about how all the uncertainty about the redevelopment finishing might affect the team, mentioned about how when he played and they redeveloped the other sides, it would often be on the morning of the match when a safety certificate was finally granted! Apparently that sort of thing does not effect the team anyway.

[spud]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/5404560.stm

"The Rugby Football Union is hopeful Twickenham's South Stand will be ready for the grand opening on 5 November, when England host New Zealand."

Fingers crossed then!


going off them photos dated 24th october....,finish the third tier and put the roof on in 2 weeks.....no chance

[CharlieP]

One of the former England stars, when asked about how all the uncertainty about the redevelopment finishing might affect the team...

Obviously a case of an interviewer struggling for things to ask. Of course it's not going to affect the team - they just turn up and play!

[Noostairz]

going off them photos dated 24th october....,finish the third tier and put the roof on in 2 weeks.....no chance

i hope they get it finished but like you said, there's not only the stands to finish, the seats to install, and all that stuff, but a roof to build! looks unlikely, although i hope i'm proved wrong.

oh yeah, and they need to stick a big old widenscreen in there as well! :banana:

http://www.rfu.com/microsites/sstand/furniture/Stadium_Bowl_Persp.jpg

[Sparks]

It will be interesting to see what toilet and catering facilities there will be for the people in the third tier as they only appear to have layed the floors, there isn't even a roof on the concourse.

[CharlieP]

going off them photos dated 24th october....,finish the third tier and put the roof on in 2 weeks.....no chance

The roof was never intended to be in place for the autumn internationals.

[london lad]

It was always amibitious to get the three tiers up & running by the November deadline but judging from the pics that were posted 11 days prior to the first tier it looks like it could be done- provided the weather doesn't hold it up. The third tier is smaller than the first so to put in the seats & the rest of the concrete steps should be donein the next 11 days..

Still I dont think I would like a seat on the top tier especially if its a bit rainy & windy- lol

Out of interest do you know how much a ticket is for the top tier??

[london lad]

BTW - what are those metal struts on the pitch & what are they for??

[spud]

lighting for the grass so it grows 24/7....it called a hydroponic system or something like that:doh: i'm sure someone cleverer than me could tell you the proper name

[CharlieP]

You're right - they're special lights to help the grass grow (now that less and less natural light hits the turf due to the height of the stadium). I don't know what the proper name in, but hydroponics is the technique of growing things in special nutrient solutions rather than soil, so it's not that :)

[spud]

http://www.sglconcept.com/sgl_engels.htm

this is the lighting gear



i wonder were i got hydroponics from????:|

[CharlieP]

Well on another forum somebody thought they were roof sections, so don't be too hard on yourself! :D

[jimbo]

It was always amibitious to get the three tiers up & running by the November deadline but judging from the pics that were posted 11 days prior to the first tier it looks like it could be done- provided the weather doesn't hold it up. The third tier is smaller than the first so to put in the seats & the rest of the concrete steps should be donein the next 11 days..

Still I dont think I would like a seat on the top tier especially if its a bit rainy & windy- lol

Out of interest do you know how much a ticket is for the top tier??

Well, I've paid £60 for the second row of the middle tier of the West Stand, between halfway and the 22 for the South Africa match, so expect the South Stand to be a little cheaper. Maybe around 50 beans perhaps?

Will be a challenge to get it sorted for the All Blacks. Won't make much difference to the game, that sort of match always has the most electric atmosphere.

[CharlieP]

From http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.Simple_Detail/StoryID/14998:

South Stand update: 28th October 2006

The construction project is on track to achieve the RFU's aim of increasing stadium capacity to 82,000 in time for the start of the Investec Challenge series. The seats in the middle tier of the south stand are now in place and the installation of the seats in the upper tier began yesterday (Thursday).
The infills joining the new south stand to the existing east and west stands are almost complete and it is anticipated they will be finalised this weekend.
The two new scoreboards (one in the north and one in the south stands) are currently being installed and should be finalised and tested by Monday (30th). The two new video screens (one in the north and one in the south stands) will be installed next week.
Both of the two new pedestrian ramps (allowing access to the seats up to level five of the south stand) are now complete and ready for use.
The new south stand corporate boxes are proceeding on schedule with the fit out due to start over the weekend.


Previous -

South Stand update 20th October:

Progress has been good this week with favourable weather conditions. The middle tier 'in fills' which join the new South Stand to the existing East and West middle tier will be in place by Monday 23rd, and the infills for the upper tier are expected to be complete by the end of next week.
Progress for the installation of the seats is on track and most of the seats on the middle tier are now installed. The project remains on target to achieve its aim of completing the seating bowl and increasing the capacity of Twickenham Stadium to 82,000 in time for the November 5th Investec Challenge match between England and New Zealand.
For the autumn series, temporary bars and toilet facilities will be installed within the south stand concourse areas to ensure the spectators in the south stand still have a high level of amenity comparable with the rest of the ground.
Confirmation has been received that 34 of the 38 South Stand hospitality boxes will be completed and in use in time for the 5th November. Again, this is ahead of schedule. The remaining four boxes are anticipated to be completed for the match against South Africa.
Entertainment for the celebration match against New Zealand on 5th November is due to be announced shortly and will include pyrotechnics and a leading music act. The two new screens (one in the North and one in the South stands) will also be in place alongside a new scoreboard system.

[CharlieP]

Entertainment for the celebration match against New Zealand on 5th November is due to be announced shortly and will include pyrotechnics and a leading music act.

Namely Girls Aloud. :lol:

[Jerv]

Namely Girls Aloud. :lol:

I saw them live at V festival this year. I have to say, the ear plugs did their job in making me deaf and I very nearly completed the job by making myself go blind. Tweedy you sexy bastard:nuts:

Re the scoreboard. Will it be hung from the roof or set into the back of the third tier e.g. Wembley?

[CharlieP]

I saw them live at V festival this year.

Shit, weren't they?

[CharlieP]

I saw them live at V festival this year. I have to say, the ear plugs did their job in making me deaf and I very nearly completed the job by making myself go blind. Tweedy you sexy bastard:nuts:

Re the scoreboard. Will it be hung from the roof or set into the back of the third tier e.g. Wembley?

Hung from the roof - there's only a few metres' gap between the back row of the third tier and the roof.

[CharlieP]

Update at http://www.rfu.com/microsites/twickenham/index.cfm?StoryID=15056

Friday 3rd November

Please find below an update on the south stand development project at Twickenham Stadium:
The seats in the south stand are now in place, with final checks to be done tomorrow. This takes Twickenham's capacity to 82,000 which will mean a record crowd for Sunday's Investec Challenge match between England and New Zealand.
The safety certificate has been received from Richmond Council, with all aspects agreed between the two parties.
The two new scoreboards are now in place and have been tested, and the two new videoscreens are almost complete with final testing tomorrow (Saturday).
The south stand hospitality boxes are in the final stages of completion, and the caterers are set to undertake their final preparations in the next 24 hours, ready for the guests on Sunday.

[CharlieP]

BBC ONE, 15:30 tomorrow :)

[lewisskinner]

Wow, on-time, on-budget. Surely a first?

[Cabman]

Wow, on-time, on-budget. Surely a first?

The Emirates was on time and on budget.

[Gherkin]

Twickenham sure looked good earlier on TV! 82,000 attendance :) Did anybody get photos?

[CharlieP]

Re the scoreboard. Will it be hung from the roof or set into the back of the third tier e.g. Wembley?

As it turns out, neither - both scoreboards (they've put one in the North Stand as well) sit about two-thirds of the way down the top tier, with angled sides so that the adjacent seats don't have restricted views.

[Liam-Manchester]

The stadium looked great but the result was terrible. I expected the All Blacks to win but not at such a canter- looks worrying for the Six Nations and the World Cup.

[CharlieP]

Well, it looks as though I'm going to get to see the new South Stand in person on Saturday - I stupidly played with an injury at the weekend so that we would have fifteen, and just made it a whole lot worse. I doubt I'm going to play again until December, so I'm free to go to the Argentina match on the 11th - I'm waiting to hear from a mate, though Ticketmaster still has some available. I can sit at the top of the North Stand for £35, or in the middle of the South Stand for £45 - I'm inclined to go for the latter and take loads of construction photos for this thread (the things I do for SSC :D)...

[lewisskinner]

Wow... What an exciting fucking life you mucst lead...

[Noostairz]

http://static.flickr.com/111/290432608_4b24ff3c3f_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/103/290432603_4649e6cd0c_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/113/290589012_b872c662b3_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/117/290589005_31c32697f4_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/122/290589032_8709594a3b_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/99/289815015_b8b1d6fd02_b.jpg

[Noostairz]

Wow... What an exciting fucking life you mucst lead...

there's no need for that, dickhead.

charlie, get some pics. :okay:

[jimbo]

Well, it looks as though I'm going to get to see the new South Stand in person on Saturday - I stupidly played with an injury at the weekend so that we would have fifteen, and just made it a whole lot worse. I doubt I'm going to play again until December, so I'm free to go to the Argentina match on the 11th - I'm waiting to hear from a mate, though Ticketmaster still has some available. I can sit at the top of the North Stand for £35, or in the middle of the South Stand for £45 - I'm inclined to go for the latter and take loads of construction photos for this thread (the things I do for SSC :D)...

top banana - it looked good on Sunday. Carillion got a huge big up from Francis Baron when he did he official opening speech. Does look rather weird without the roof, but you have to say hats off for getting it completed and with the safely certificate in place.

great photos edennewstairs.

despite the scoreline I rather enjoyed it - we were competitive, Noon's should have been given, and Allen's two mistakes gifted the Kiwis two of their tries. That said, they certainly weren't playing at 100%. Hey ho, bring on the Argies, expect a real forwards rumble (but then, don't we always when they come to town).

[CharlieP]

Well, I left it a bit late (was hoping for a miracle recovery before Saturday), so when I went back to Ticketmaster I couldn't find any tickets at all. So I contacted them by phone, and managed to find a £25 ticket at the top of the North Stand :). Will take plenty of photos.

[CharlieP]

Just a thought on the roof - presumably they won't start dangling great big girders over the seating area until the Autumn Internationals are out of the way, although I don't think they're ready to start doing that yet anyway (you can't see any vertical supports behind the top tier. There's a block of 59 days without any games between the Varsity match and the visit of Scotland, though they could close the South Stand for Oxford-Cambridge and start on 26 November if they needed extra time (the Varsity match only usually draws about 50,000, although I know they're trying to attract more this year by offering £1 tickets to freshers)...

[tornadochaser]

Did anybody take any pictures from the new stand, i just wanted to know where the other screen in the north stand is positioned. The screen on the south stand looks pretty temporary (or maybe not). If this was the case, extra seats there, the final few rows was cordened off so extra seats there too, could Twickenham have a capacity of 83,000? The attendance for the all blacks was 82, 076 I think I heard the announcer say.

I just hope we get the team to match the stage soon!

[CharlieP]

The screen in the North Stand was in exactly the same place, as far as I could tell.

[CharlieP]

OK, I've finally signed up for a Photobucket account so that I can show my photos without it counting against my ISP's traffic limits :). Even though my ticket was for the top of the North Stand, I bumped into a team-mate and his friends at the station - one of their party had pulled out so I sat with them on the second tier of the South Stand. Here goes:

The join between the South Stand and East Stand:

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111132628_1600x1200.jpg

The join between the West Stand and South Stand (you can see the bottom of one of the roof supports):

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111133519_1600x1200.jpg

One of the spiral access ramps for the South Stand (with the hotel development behind it, access to the middle and upper tier seats is only possible by feeding spectators into the western and eastern ends of the concourses). It's quite a walk - six rotations to reach the middle tier seemed to take an eternity, so the top tier must be a real trek!

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111140436_1200x1600.jpg

Internal view from the middle tier of the South Stand. The box in the North-West corner is new - presumably this is to replace the big green box that used to sit in the gap between the South and West Stands (stadium control?):

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111141313_1600x1200.jpg

View showing the back of the middle tier - this will eventually incorporate hotel rooms with a view of the pitch:

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111141322_1600x1200.jpg

Views of the upper tier (with more of the roof supports visible):

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111141331_1600x1200.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111141355_1600x1200.jpg

View showing the rather generous gap between the pitch and lower tier - they could add a few thousand to capacity by lowering the pitch and adding more seats, but I don't know how that would affect viewing angles:

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111151155_1600x1200.jpg

[Noostairz]

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111141313_1600x1200.jpg

^ that, my friend, is my favourite pic of twickenham ever.

nice one charlie! :)

edit: don't suppose you have a bigger version of that pic? :banana:

[Noostairz]

with thanks to charlie:

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/4034/cp200611111413131600x12ot2.jpg

[CharlieP]

Well, following the herculean effort to open the South Stand for the New Zealand match, there haven't been any updates on the RFU mini-site :(

However, if you're an avid stadium-watcher like me, you can catch up on the progress on the roof by watching the Varsity Match on Sky Sports 1 on Tuesday from 13:30... After that the next fixture is the Calcutta Cup on 3 February.

[CharlieP]

Well, in the absence of photo updates, I'm going to have to do a bit of commentary...

I watched The Rugby Club eight days ago, where they had a featured showing Brian Ashton walking round Twickenham having just been given the England job. The two things I noticed when I paused the long shot of the South Stand were (a) that the video screen has been removed (presumably to make it easier to fit the permanent wall and roof, and (b) all the roof supports, three of which you can see in this photo of mine:

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111141331_1600x1200.jpg

...were all in place, with horizontal sections connecting the tops of all of them (with two gaps). So there's probably a fair way to go before the roof is finished.

[Madman]

Shhame, when i saw you had posted i thought you were going to show another RFU update :)

[Noostairz]

twickenham from the "sarf" stand on saturday, by yours truly:

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9328/1010136iy1.jpg

[The Hunted]

Nice pics Eden, any more?
Is the hotel starting to take shape yet?

[Madman]

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/CharlieP1973/cp20061111141331_1600x1200.jpg


hehe the supports for the roof look like two skiers ready for the jump! :D

[CharlieP]

hehe the supports for the roof look like two skiers ready for the jump! :D

Took me a while to see what you meant! I reckon they look more like AT-ST walkers from Star Wars mid-stride :)

[CharlieP]

As on the other thread, do you have any pictures of the exterior works, to compare with mine from November in post #220?

[CharlieP]

For those of you that didn't watch England beating France today, the steelwork skeleton of the roof looks about 50% complete (it was hard to tell with the bright sky) - hopefully there'll be some photos on Flickr before long...

[GrAfiK_248]

no grand slam 4 them den haha lol

[Dave_PAFC]

Its looking very good and will be great when completed. It would be nice if they did something with the exterior at some point though as it doesn't look the most appealing, place some slick paneling on maybe. Inside though it looks great, which is the most important thing.

[CharlieP]

This is the only decent picture I could find:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/418599515_4c1bcb6123.jpg?v=0

[Salif]

no grand slam 4 them den haha lol

On TV coverage pre-match there were French supporters writing off any hopes England had of beating France - I knew then we would beat them.

[CharlieP]

Come on Italy and Scotland next Saturday!

(I can't see us beating Wales by 40+ :))

[Its AlL gUUd]

^^ I think wales would play pretty good

[CharlieP]

Here's another decent photo showing the roof progress:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/419412794_88e2792ae4_o.jpg

Next (televised) fixture at HQ is the EDF Energy Cup Final on 15 April, hopefully they'll have done a lot in the month between now and then...

[Jack Rabbit Slim]

This youtube clip has a few seconds at the start that show the south stand roof developments (from the inside), if you're interested:

poucSS0pNb0

[CharlieP]

Am I interested? Does the Pope shit in the woods?

[Jerv]

So the roof structure is completely different to the existing roof? All the steelwork looks like it will be enclosed.

[Dave_PAFC]

How's that?

Look at the pick CharlieP posted on the 29th December of the existing framework, and then look at the one posted on the 12th March of the new framework. Its exactly the same. It wouldn't look right if it was different.

[stourbridgebaggie]

check out the pics on the twickenham website of what its going to be like http://www.rfu.com/debentures/animation_index.cfm it is going to be exactly the same

[Jerv]

I think you're right. I always thought the existing roof had exposed steel beams on the underside rather that a sheet soffit with transparent panels.

[CharlieP]

Giggity giggity:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/421373057_6bb3da75cd_o.jpg

[Jack Rabbit Slim]

^^ Wow!

[Gherkin]

The sporting venues forum is dying without the Wembley thread, and as I didn't expect any new stadia to be proposed in coming months, I thought I'd spend some time on flickr!

South Stand redevelopment:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ollie_atterton/408450410/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewinkle/424346163/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sezzy_boy/419412322/

...and an old one, but a rare Twickenham aerial nonetheless:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cjk/388216835/

[Jonny Gee]

The sporting venues forum is dying without the Wembley thread, and as I didn't expect any new stadia to be proposed in coming months,

Thanks for the update.
If it helps I've got some updates to add to the 'stadium plans and rumours' thread, a mod needs to unlock it though:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=440472&page=5

[CharlieP]

Some kind chap took this photo at the Daily Mail schools day on Saturday and posted it to Flickr:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/438582258_9bf19bc0fa_b.jpg

[Its AlL gUUd]

^^ Looking good