RFU Responds To Possibility Of Hosting Test Matches Away From Twickenham
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The RFU has come out and said they will not consider hosting any test matches away from Twickenham.
Many have called for the possibility of hosting games in other stadia around England due to the overwhelming success of last year’s Rugby World Cup but the RFU has firmly shut the door and revealed it has no intention of leaving Twickenham.
Andy Coslett, the RFU’s new chairman, said on Wednesday that Test matches would continue to be held at Twickenham because of financial commitments and because of the 15,000 debenture holders at the stadium.
“One of the lessons of the World Cup was that the whole country loves the game and gets behind it. But the Union has obligations as well,” Coslett said. “There are other pressures as well, it’s not simply a case of would you like to do it, because as a Mancunian, of course I would and everybody had a great day at the Etihad. But the Union has demands on its finances.
“The record investment we’ve been able to put into the game is because we’ve got financial stability and Twickenham games with 82,000 people are a big contributor to that. It’s a big trade off and at this point we’re keeping games at Twickenham.
“We’re about to move into the next strategic review and I’ve no doubt that as part of that process there’s a conversation to be had about this. I completely get it and I understand the impact that it would have, but it’s getting that balance right and understanding the financial implications.
“The financial impact is significant, but it’s not just the money, we have obligations to a large number of debenture holders, who bought the rights and have underwritten for many years Twickenham’s ability to invest in the game and invest in the stadium. The debenture holders deserve respect as well and are key stakeholders. It’s a big sum of money because there is no stadium in the north of England with 82,000 seats.”
Are the RFU right to stay in Twickenham or is it time they starting playing more matches around the country in the fairness of other supporters?
