One Premiership ground doesn't meet criteria to restart season
Rugby NewsThursday, 14 May 2020 at 14:14
Premiership Rugby is auditing its clubs' grounds to look for suitable venues to host rugby union's restart.
According to the BBC, Twickenham and Wasps' Ricoh Arena - while not ruled out - do not meet all the criteria.
The Coventry-based ground lacks the nearby training facilities required while Twickenham is currently being used by the NHS.
CRITERIA
- Safety: a venue that is as bio-secure as possible and has enough space for the extra medical facilities required.
- A pitch that can withstand a series of matches in one weekend.
- Training facilities in the vicinity.
- Room for more than two teams to change and prepare.
Hosting the matches at a neutral ground outside of the 12 Premiership venues has been considered, but it is understood this is unlikely as the rugby authorities want control of the venue throughout the week for safety reasons.
With nine rounds of fixtures remaining, the preference remains to stage whole rounds of games at one venue for safety and logistical reasons.
Leicester Tigers Welford Road is the early favourite, according to RUCK sources to host the matches.
5 of the worst rugby stadiums in the world – Premiership, Six Nations & more
We’ve picked out five stadia from Britain and across the globe which have their issues.
Take a look, below, and let us know which rugby grounds you dislike and why…
1. AJ Bell Stadium
In five words or less: Archetypal 21st century ground
Most recent visit: 2019
Best feature: Good shop for merchandise
Worst feature: You pay £10 to park in a massive puddle in the mud before being penned in for almost an hour post match!
Quirk factor: 0/5
2. Stadio Olimpico
In five words or less: Standard ex-Olympic stadium.
Most recent visit: 2017
Best feature: Impressive venue, reasonable ticket prices
Worst feature: Unfortunately, a running track surrounds the pitch and this affects the atmosphere. The view is also somewhat compromised.
Quirk factor: 2/5
3. Scotstoun Stadium
In five words or less: Not another running track, FFS
Most recent visit: 2018
Best feature: The supporters are great craic.
Worst feature: Old stadium with limited facilities. Again, the view is somewhat ruined by the design of the stadium.
Quirk factor: 1/5
4. Ricoh Arena
In five words or less: A depressing experience
Most recent visit: 2019
Best feature: Proximity to motorway. Wasps also do their best to make it an enjoyable matchday experience using the stadium’s extensive facilities.
Worst feature: Often-soulless atmosphere in a virtually empty stadium - the move to Coventry just hasn't worked out, and it's hard not to feel for Wasps fans in that situation.
Quirk factor: 1/5
5. ANZ stadium
In five words or less: At least it looks pretty
Most recent visit: 2016
Best feature: The only time ANZ is any good is when there's more than 60,000 people there.
Worst feature: That hardly ever happens. It's a soulless, empty cave with expensive food that isn't even that good and pricey parking.
Quirk factor: 3/5
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