BREAKING | Premiership clash to have 4,000 fans attend next weekend!
Rugby NewsWednesday, 26 August 2020 at 18:22
Harlequin have been confirmed as the host club selected by DCMS to act as a pilot for Rugby Union, with supporters able to attend the match between Harlequins and Bath Rugby on 5th September at The Stoop.
The event will be utilised to demonstrate the strict delivery of social distancing measures to ensure crowd safety as rugby returns with supporters in the stands.
The selection of The Stoop as a host venue follows a detailed assessment of submissions by Premiership Rugby to DCMS.
Harlequins Chief Executive Officer Laurie Dalrymple said: “We are delighted to able to host this pilot event and we have been working incredibly hard with the relevant authorities to demonstrate that we can safely and securely host events with supporters.
"A huge amount of work has been done across the Club to ensure operationally and medically that we deliver our match day events to the highest standard, meeting the stringent guidelines. Our successful hosting of both Harlequins and London Irish matches at The Stoop since rugby’s return have been a great test, but having supporters in the stadium is what everyone has been striving for.
"We will communicate shortly with our supporters about how we will select those that are able to attend this match. We are sure they will understand that it is impossible to get everyone into the stadium for this pilot and we must have a selection process.
"We do of course hope that this pilot leads to further matches and increased numbers of supporters which will enable us to get as many supporters as possible into The Stoop, as soon as possible. At this stage, we ask our supporters to hold for further information which will come shortly while we wait for final details from DCMS."
JOIN THE RUCK:
6 players who could have played for other countries but didn’t
Here are five of the biggest stars who could have played for England, but didn’t.
1. James Haskell - Wales
The hulking England forward opened up about his Welsh heritage to BBC Wales. He said: “I’m actually half Welsh, and I’m fully Welsh qualified, so I could have quite happily played for Wales,”
2. Michael Hooper - England
He would have qualified to Play for England through his father, who was born and raised in Kent. Considered one of the world’s best flankers, the 99-cap flanker hit international headlines as he mastered the field alongside revered teammate David Pocock on the Rugby World Cup stage in 2015.
3. Jonathan Davies - England
A key man on two successful Lions tours, the leader of the Welsh back-line, and at the heart of the Scarlets revival. If there’s a player who can cut better lines than Davies then I’m yet to see him. Born in Solihull, arguably the best centre in the world could have played for England.
4. Martin Johnson - New Zealand
In 1989 he was approached by former All Black Colin Meads to try out for the King Country side in New Zealand. In 1990 he was even selected for the New Zealand under-21 side which went on a tour of Australia playing a side that included another of the all-time great lock forwards, John Eales. He eventually returned to England and thankfully represented them instead of the All Blacks.
5. Hamish Watson - England
One of the most consistent back-rowers in the Six Nations, Watson has accumulated 32 caps since making his Scotland debut in 2015. The flanker was actually born in Manchester, making him eligible to play for England.
6. Dan Carter -Ireland
The 33-year-old has revealed in his newest book that if things were different, he may very well have played for the green of Ireland, rather than his native country. And it's all down to some undisclosed Irish blood on his father's side.
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