St Mary's confirmed as part of World Cup bid (From Daily Echo)
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St Mary's confirmed as part of World Cup bid
9:42am Wednesday 13th May 2009 in
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- By Gordon Simpson » Senior Sports Reporter
ST MARY'S Stadium has been confirmed as just one of four stadiums to host south region pool matches in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, should the RFU win its bid to host the event.
As exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo this morning, the RFU has chosen the ground, along with Twickenham, Wembley and the Emirates Stadium, as venues for the group games in September 2015.
Just 12 have been chosen across England and Wales for the entire tournament.
Pool matches would also take place in the Midlands, North and Wales regions.
St Mary's would be one of the smallest capacity grounds used for the World Cup.
Only Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium, Leicester's Welford Road and Coventry's Ricoh Arena hold less people.
Saints' commercial director John O'Sullivan said: "We are bound by the confidentiality terms of the bid process but we can confirm we are supporting the RFU’s bid for the Rugby World Cup 2015.
"Should England be successful we will work with the IRB and RFU to deliver an outstanding tournament and look forward to welcoming games to St Mary’s.
"The stadium is being utilised as a major concert venue and is also well placed to add the staging of world class rugby to its portfolio of activities.”
Comments(11)
The Exiled Saint
says...
10:38am Wed 13 May 09
You have only to look at the pitches of the Hull, Reading, Watford and, next season, Huddersfield Town, to see the damage either of the Rugby Codes do to a playing surface.
ColaCola
says...
10:57am Wed 13 May 09
I love Rugby. Lots of dirty sweaty men. Good move.
hampshirehawk
says...
11:45am Wed 13 May 09
Ozmosis
says...
1:23pm Wed 13 May 09
Beer Monster
says...
2:35pm Wed 13 May 09
St.Yorkie wrote:I can testify to this - when I was in Stuttgart during the World Cup in 2006 a whole street had been turned into a Brazilian dance fest
Saints fans will be used to this style of play - kick and run - that's all we did all season. Roll on the egg chasers - let's hope Brazil get our pool - their fans are fantastic!
big bird 1981
says...
3:56pm Wed 13 May 09
just a few things i hear what ur saying about wigan hull tec pitchs but they will only be using sms frtom some pool games 2maybe 3 games
and one last thing when was the last time you saw a brazilian ruby team umumumumumumumum
allsaintsnocurves
says...
6:00pm Wed 13 May 09
If the pitch gets completely ruined after a few games of rugby then it wasn't in as good a shape in the first place!!
This will also raise the profile of the stadium and the city and can everyone be slightly positive about things for once!! I get sick of all the negative posts. What is the point..do you phone up on TV to complain about something that offended you? If you don't like it...turn over! Do you call phones in to give your opinion yes, no or I don't know...and say hello...yeah...I don't know!!!
This stadium is a centre piece of southampton. It should be owned by the council and used for a wide range of events. It's not like it will effect the football played on it much...that has been rubbish anyway!
Bitterne Park Tim
says...
6:52pm Wed 13 May 09
The Exiled Saint wrote:Ridiculous comment!
Beggars can't be choosey, but this is not a good move. You have only to look at the pitches of the Hull, Reading, Watford and, next season, Huddersfield Town, to see the damage either of the Rugby Codes do to a playing surface.
This is Fantastic News... i cannot Wait, I doubt we will get anywhere near the Tickets, but fantastic news!
Southampton is devoid of Rugby for some reason, it is a real shame there is not a Prem league Rugby Club in the South.
Might take some of the pain away from the Saints Situation!
Invidia
says...
3:15pm Thu 14 May 09
spitfiresRL
says...
3:01pm Sun 17 May 09
Your chance to win the new Spitfires home shirt
Southampton Spitfires Rugby League Club are offering one lucky person the chance to win a replica shirt of their own.
Visit: www.southampton-spit
fires.co.uk for details.
Players wanted.
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St.Yorkie says...
10:21am Wed 13 May 09
Roll on the egg chasers - let's hope Brazil get our pool - their fans are fantastic!