ENGLAND - Rugby World Cup 2015

[CharlieP]

Originally Posted by gavstar00

I agree with that point but is there a case missing out on a golden opportunity for developing rugby as a whole with this competition? I know its been said previously but I think the RFU really had a duty to look to developing club rugby grounds as a legacy from the tournament, a duty they look to have ignored in favour of making more money with less outlay in terms of money using existing, larger non rugby specific stadiums.

I totally agree that the World Cup is a golden opportunity for developing the game in England, but I completely disagree that the most desirable legacy of the tournament is a handful of expanded Premiership stadia.

I'd much rather see a massively successful tournament akin to the last one, with plenty of new supporters through the turnstiles some of whom go on to get involved with their local clubs, and revenue ploughed back into grassroots clubs, schools etc.

Granted you are never going to get 40-50k attendance at the likes of a Harlequins game for example, but surely temporary expansion of existing club rugby stadiums, including permanent corporate facilities should have seriously taken in account? At least that way, long term, you can bring more money into the sport (unfortunately a necessary evil nowadays) and develop the sport further as a whole in the country?

Expanding Premiership stadia is only really going to benefit Premiership clubs - increasing attendances year on year is a sign that the game is in a healthy state at the top level, but the increased gate receipts don't exactly filter down to the grassroots level.

[CharlieP]

Originally Posted by Andy-i

I'd also be highly dubious of the abilty of some teams in the championship to pull in crowds over 10K every week in the GP.

Half the GP clubs can't do that either, though Wasps would probably manage to average over 10k in a bigger stadium.

Bristol and Exeter would probably manage 10k crowds, and Nottingham would against Leicester, but none of the other clubs have a big enough ground...

[Andy-i]

Originally Posted by CharlieP

Half the GP clubs can't do that either, though Wasps would probably manage to average over 10k in a bigger stadium.

Bristol and Exeter would probably manage 10k crowds, and Nottingham would against Leicester, but none of the other clubs have a big enough ground...

Your bang on charlie

Only Bristol and Exeter have applied to be audited from promotion. Shows they are the only clubs that could actually cope in the GP.

We have the strange scenario that if someone gets lucky in the championship playoffs and either of those 2 dont win it there will no promotion and relegation from the GP

It seems that Rugby is copying football with the gulf between the top flight and tiers below it getting bigger!

[Harry1990]

does anyone think that if a new bath stadium if completed in time for the rugby world cup than it should be used. i heard bath are going to build a 25k stadium.

would rather have a rugby mad town like bath involved than say coventry?

[CharlieP]

Originally Posted by Harry1990

does anyone think that if a new bath stadium if completed in time for the rugby world cup than it should be used. i heard bath are going to build a 25k stadium.

would rather have a rugby mad town like bath involved than say coventry?

If Bath did have a new stadium up and running by 2015 (a big if!), I'd like to see it replacing Kingsholm on the roster.

[Isaac Newell]

Coventry was always one of Rugby's bigger clubs to be honest.

[Kobo]

Originally Posted by CharlieP

If Bath did have a new stadium up and running by 2015 (a big if!), I'd like to see it replacing Kingsholm on the roster.

I would love it for Bath to be a host city for the rugby world cup, fingers crossed they can sort out their stadium problems in time.

[CharlieP]

Originally Posted by Kobo

I would love it for Bath to be a host city for the rugby world cup, fingers crossed they can sort out their stadium problems in time.

Things have a much greater chance of happening now that Bath have a new billionaire owner, but I still wouldn't hold your breath...

[Andy-i]

Originally Posted by Isaac Newell

Coventry was always one of Rugby's bigger clubs to be honest.

Maybe a long time ago!

Last year they were went bust, were relegated from the championship (2nd tier of English rugby) and averaged crowds of 1218 in the reg season and 1322 in the relegation playoffs (which included their 2 closest neighbours)

They aren't a big club in any sense now.

[Harry1990]

With England now out of the WC i thought i would remove the dust from this thread and get it started again? So what stadiums think should/could be included or changed for the 2015 wc? Any expansion rumours /news?

[Darloeye]

Would be happy with two games in London, Wembley and Twickenham. Would like to see St james park or the stadium of light host a few games or my home town stadium Darlington Arena host some but can't see that happening but think Newcastle and/or Sunderland host games. Old Trafford should host games with Leeds too. Not really sure about the other stadiums just has long has all the games are played in England !

[RMB2007]

I'd like to see Brighton's new stadium included.

[MS20]

Originally Posted by Darloeye

Would be happy with two games in London, Wembley and Twickenham. Would like to see St james park or the stadium of light host a few games or my home town stadium Darlington Arena host some but can't see that happening but think Newcastle and/or Sunderland host games. Old Trafford should host games with Leeds too. Not really sure about the other stadiums just has long has all the games are played in England !

St James Park is on the list, Sunderland is not. Old Trafford and Leeds are also on the list.

Originally Posted by RMB2007

I'd like to see Brighton's new stadium included.

St Marys is one of the proposed stadia. The better option for the south coast I would say

[Harry1990]

I love brightons stadium too. I wish coventry was off and replaced by either a new bath stadium or like villa park. Cant understand why bristol isnt in the bid aswell

[Rev Stickleback]

Originally Posted by Andy-i

Your bang on charlie

Only Bristol and Exeter have applied to be audited from promotion. Shows they are the only clubs that could actually cope in the GP.

We have the strange scenario that if someone gets lucky in the championship playoffs and either of those 2 dont win it there will no promotion and relegation from the GP

It seems that Rugby is copying football with the gulf between the top flight and tiers below it getting bigger!

the support for rugby drops off a cliff once you get past a dozen or so clubs.

IF they had any sense they'd expand the top tier to 14 or 16 clubs so they wouldn't have to relegate one viable club every year, to be replaced by the other one.


The fact is most football clubs in the country would struggle to be viable if they only played 11 league games each season. Without a big tv deal you can't run a professional sport on that kind of income.

[Andy-i]

Originally Posted by Darloeye

Would be happy with two games in London, Wembley and Twickenham. Would like to see St james park or the stadium of light host a few games or my home town stadium Darlington Arena host some but can't see that happening but think Newcastle and/or Sunderland host games. Old Trafford should host games with Leeds too. Not really sure about the other stadiums just has long has all the games are played in England !

Is the Darlington Arena still capped at 10K by the local council? It was something about there not being enough access IIRC.

I guess Darlo don't need the extra capacity at the moment but I wonder how much money and work is required to improve the access to it.

As a FC Halifax town fan I know all about ambitious/dodgy (delete as applicable) owners!
What's the feeling amongst the fans, about the condition Reynolds left the club in, with the stadium and what not?

[Andy-i]

Originally Posted by Rev Stickleback

the support for rugby drops off a cliff once you get past a dozen or so clubs.

IF they had any sense they'd expand the top tier to 14 or 16 clubs so they wouldn't have to relegate one viable club every year, to be replaced by the other one.


The fact is most football clubs in the country would struggle to be viable if they only played 11 league games each season. Without a big tv deal you can't run a professional sport on that kind of income.

Very true REV. The RFU massively overestimated the support/appeal of Club RU when they sold the old First division clubs the idea of the "Championship" A couple of years down the line and after some bankruptcies they have:

• No sponsor (still)
• No TV deal (Sky get it as part of the overall RFU deal and the clubs get a pittance from it)
• The B&I cup is a dead duck with no sponsorship or prize money and the clubs threatened to pull out unless the RFU paid their travel!
• Only Bristol and Leeds are in any shape to be promoted and Leeds are a poor team with small crowds.
• The average crowd this season is 1676 so with only 6 games a round you are talking about a league watched on average by less than 10K fans a week!

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see its not sustainable which is why nearly all the teams are semi-pro and dont have any wish to get promoted (due to the cost of meeting the premiership requirements which half the premiership don't meet anyway!!)

[krudmonk]

Should they go to a periodic licensing system like Super League? People hate that because pro/rel is the custom in England but it does serve a purpose of providing stability to clubs like Wakefield and Salford.

[lwa]

Apparently the WRU have today confirmed they will be hosting several games (as has been talked about, but not confirmed until now) in 2015. Meaning this will be the 4th European RWC, and the 4th at which Wales has hosted games (to England and Scotlands 3, and Ireland and Frances (?) 2).

Getting a joke now TBH - fair enough, Wales couldn't host it on their own and therefore needed help from some of England/Ireland/Scotland, but both England and France could EASILLY host it themselfs!



Also been announced that tier 1 nations (I.e. the 6 N's, and the new 4 Nations) have 'agreed in principal' to playing games midweek in 2015, meaning we should hopefully see a more balanced schedule that isn't unfair on the Tier 2 Nations (and the poor relations of the top tier - Scotland) like this year. However why do they have to agree to it? Why aren't the IRB just telling them how it is, and if the top sides don't like it, they don't have to come!



Lastly, does anyone know if/when the remaining phases of the Welford Road redevelopment are likely to be built? Looks like it will be a fantastic ground when finished - take it there is little chance of being finished for 2015 though?

[Harry1990]

I think wales is more about votes i believe it was arranged between the rfu and wru for welsh support for the england bid. I agree though apart from the celtic nations all of the other top ten should be able to host it on their own