"For One Week Only" - Gloucester Change Name of Stadium for Premier 15s Final

Gloucester-Hartpury take on Exeter Chiefs Women in the Premier 15s Final this Saturday, with both sides looking to record their historic first-ever title in the competition. Since the Premier 15s was launched in 2017, only Saracens and Harlequins have lifted the trophy, making this weekend even more of a monumental occasion.

Ticket sales for the showpiece event at 'Queensholm', are said to have already doubled the record for attendance at a Premier 15s Final. This is certainly contributed by the fact that Gloucester-Hartpury have reached the final, and will take on West Country rivals Exeter Chiefs.

Gloucester-Hartpury captain and England international Natasha 'Mo' Hunt, called the event "amazing". Speaking to the Gloucester Rugby website, Hunt said;

“It’s a dream to run out to a packed Kingsholm in Cherry & White. The fact that we’re now doing that at ‘Queensholm’, in honour of the final that we’ve fought so hard to get to… it means so much.”

“I am so unbelievably proud to wear this shirt and all it represents, from the staff that go above and beyond and are always so welcoming, to the unreal supporters and people of Gloucester.

“It’s going to be an insane occasion and I’m so excited to be out there with the girls. We will do everything we can to make everyone proud on Saturday.”

Gloucester-Hartpury and Exeter Chiefs kick-off at 15:30, this Saturday 24th of June for the Premier 15s Final.

Legendary referee Nigel Owens has picked out the three stadiums he played in that produced the best atmosphere, and surprisingly left out his beloved Principality in Cardiff

The first of the international grounds on our list of the best stadiums in world rugby, the atmosphere in Stade de France mirrors their national team: boisterous and joyful when on the front foot, but quiet and frail when behind.

Owens wrote: "When you’re inside the Stade de France it’s an incredible stadium.

"The atmosphere is up there with the best and I absolutely loved refereeing there but the actual location of the stadium is not the best, there isn’t a lot going on around it, it’s the total opposite to Cardiff in many ways."

Owens wrote: "For me, few things beat Thomond Park on a European Cup weekend. That is an experience that should be on every rugby fan’s bucket list. When there are 28,000 in there for games against the likes of Toulouse, Leicester or Clermont – all of which I’ve refereed there – then it doesn’t half take some beating."

Owens wrote: "I refereed Leinster v Munster here in the Heineken Cup semi-final in 2009. It was like an international day, there was a sea of blue and red descending on the stadium. The attendance of over 82,000 set a record at the time and the atmosphere was remarkable."

For what England’s HQ lacks in atmosphere, it certainly makes up for it in occasion.

At 82,000 it is the biggest rugby stadium in the Northern Hemisphere, having witnessed a record 13 Six Nations Grand Slams for their home side.

Owens wrote: "It will always be a special place for me because it’s where I took charge of the World Cup final and my first ever Six Nations match, but there is more to this selection than just that.

"Surprisingly, for a match where the host nation wasn’t involved, with a lot of neutral supporters in the ground, the atmosphere was special."

Nestled right in the heart of Gauteng Province, one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the world, Ellis Park takes Venatour’s top spot.

All Blacks legend Justin Marshall said of the 62,567 stadium: “Even the drive to Ellis Park on the bus is daunting, where often supporters push the bus, and certainly make it very clear you’re in enemy territory.

“On the field it’s an atmosphere like no other – hostile and very passionate. No coincidence that the Springboks play better there than at any ground in the country. They’re different beasts when they run on to Ellis Park. Something in them stirs.”

Owens wrote: "The game was South Africa v New Zealand in 2013 and the atmosphere that day was just something to behold. The game itself was just unbelievable and played at such a pace, without a doubt the best I ever refereed.

"The All Blacks won 38-27, there were nine tries and some of them were stunning. The crowd really got into the game, as they always do in South Africa, and it made for a truly special memory."