2015 World Cup venues: confirmed

World Cup venues:

Twickenham

Wembley

Olympic Stadium

Millennium Stadium

Etihad Stadium - Manchester

St James' Park - Newcastle

Elland Road - Leeds

King Power Stadium - Leicester

Villa Park - Birmingham

Kingsholm - Gloucester

Stadium MK - Milton Keynes

Brighton Community Stadium - Brighton

Sandy Park - Exeter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22379872

Too many football stadiums

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/mm/Document/Tournament/Mediazone/02/06/65/07/rwc-2015-match-schedule.pdf

wales get to play x2 of their pool games at Home... but NOT AUS or ENG...

No St Mary's though

Sandy Park

Tonga v Africa 1
Africa 1 v Europe 1
Italy v Europe 2

That'll do nicely.

Yeah good day out those!

Pretty pleased with Scotland's venues.
Open V Asia 1 (probably Japan) at Kingsholm.
Then play America 2 (Canada / US) in Leeds
Before the big 2 in Newcastle . South Africa & Samoa

Doesn't phase me about the number of football stadia. Frankly, we need this to draw the largest number of people to grow interest in Rugby. Of course, we need to make a profit, too.

Shame about Welford Road, though.

Am I right in saying only wales outside of England will get games?

Yes.

Why not the same as France in 2007?

Games were then spread over England, France and Wales, wasn't it?

St James Park...ill not be missing those games!!!

SA v Scotland
Scotland v Samoa
NZ v Tonga!!!

Wales get Oceania 1 and play-off winner at home

Shame Ireland are not playing at Villa Park.

Will definatly try and get to Wembley.

Biltong wrote:Why not the same as France in 2007?

Games were then spread over England, France and Wales, wasn't it?

England did not get any games in the 'France' RWC. Only France and Wales. Wales got matches because they agreed to vote supporting the French RWC bid.

Ah, Ok.

That seems to be a common theme of the WRU

I think it's terrible that Wales are playing two games at the Millennium Stadium, regardless of their opponents in those games. Whose World Cup is this?

If the organisers want to use the stadium, fine; use it for games not involving Wales. Only the hosts should have home advantage.

Fantastic news for Glaws and actually far better games than I was expecting.

We'll have:
Scotland v Asia 1 (probably Japan)
Argentina v Europe 1 (probably Georgia)
Tonga v Europe 1
Americas 2 (prob USA) v Asia 1

I'll be looking to go to all of those, but the Argentina & Tonga games against probably Georgia look to be excellent matches.

Agree that we (Wales) shouldn't play any games there. Give us games for the other pools, fine, but not our own games. Not fair.

I really don't have an issue with Wales having games at the MS. As long as they fill the stadium and bring that amazing match day atmosphere it'll be a brilliant advert for rugby. After all is said and done that is what the World cup is all about. Making rugby look fun and entertaining around the world. Wales at the MS delivers this in bucket loads.

I have got SA and Samoa to watch on two consecutive days at Brighton.That will do nicely!

Would of prefered it to be at Welford Road but i can understand the need to make some pennies. Not too happy about wales playing a couple of games at home - i suppose they know they'll fill the stadium easily with Wales playing.

The Leicester City stadium will be hosting;

Argentina v Tonga
Americas 1 v Europe 2
Argentina v Africa 1

not bad.

Frankly I feel that Leicester have been kicked in the teeth.

A huge ground development at Welford Road has been effectively binned by the IRB.

Not only have the Tigers had to play second fiddle to one of a plethora of footy clubs, but Gloucester and Sandy Park with relatively minor ground capacities get relatively over-represented.

Same as the PRL do to promoted clubs like Exe - cry me a river, GT

Seems to me that Wales have the short end of the stick. We play 6 days before we go to Twickenham to meet England who have 8 days before the game. And is it just coincidence that England cannot meet NZ before the final? As for all the bleating about why should Wales get home games...as a reward for being stitched up?

Friday 6 Feb 15 at the Millennium will be a great forerunner - I would not miss it for a million pounds.

Effervescing Elephant wrote:I really don't have an issue with Wales having games at the MS. As long as they fill the stadium and bring that amazing match day atmosphere it'll be a brilliant advert for rugby. After all is said and done that is what the World cup is all about. Making rugby look fun and entertaining around the world. Wales at the MS delivers this in bucket loads.

At least there is one person on here who is sharp enough to know why Wales are playing two minor games at home i.e., money. It is also an agreement with the WRU who have shared two RWC's with the other home unions in the same way as England. It is a shame that not more rugby grounds are not used but again it is all about revenue..

Glamorganalun - 100% agree - always look at the cash - Lot's of bargaining has gone on here.

Since the 2007 Welsh games didn't sell out (around 40000 for some IIRC) and the AI not against the big three don't are we sure their games against the two 'weaker' teams in the pool will? Granted they're on an up so I can more people being interested but we've also had the recession since then...I'd still expect more than would fit in Welford Road though (also England's 'away' game in Old Trafford in 2009 only got around 50000 (IIRC)

glamorganalun wrote:

Effervescing Elephant wrote:I really don't have an issue with Wales having games at the MS. As long as they fill the stadium and bring that amazing match day atmosphere it'll be a brilliant advert for rugby. After all is said and done that is what the World cup is all about. Making rugby look fun and entertaining around the world. Wales at the MS delivers this in bucket loads.

At least there is one person on here who is sharp enough to know why Wales are playing two minor games at home i.e., money. It is also an agreement with the WRU who have shared two RWC's with the other home unions in the same way as England. It is a shame that not more rugby grounds are not used but again it is all about revenue..

Will they be minor games for the opponents though?

Didn't we all feel a level of sympathy for the 'minor' sides last time when they were pushed into playing games in quick succession as the 'bigger' sides got more time to get over injury niggles etc?
So now two minor sides have to face Wales at home in a WC hosted by England. It might be a relatively small advantage in terms of relative quality of opponents...but it's an advantage two minor sides could probably do without all the same.

Be nice if England could face their minor sides at somewhere other than Twickenham, which is especially intimidating.................well it has been at times. Money again?

I personally have never seen a Welsh team or club lose there in my visits over the years. Just lucky I guess. I will be there again 9th March 14.

lauriehow wrote:Be nice if England could face their minor sides at somewhere other than Twickenham, which is especially intimidating.................well it has been at times. Money again?

I personally have never seen a Welsh team or club lose there in my visits over the years. Just lucky I guess. I will be there again 9th March 14.

England are hosts laurie. It's written in stone that they get a good bunch of benefits and advantages.

HammerofThunor wrote:Since the 2007 Welsh games didn't sell out (around 40000 for some IIRC) and the AI not against the big three don't are we sure their games against the two 'weaker' teams in the pool will? Granted they're on an up so I can more people being interested but we've also had the recession since then...I'd still expect more than would fit in Welford Road though (also England's 'away' game in Old Trafford in 2009 only got around 50000 (IIRC)

I think the difference this time will be that a) the tournament is in England, and the MS is only 2 hours from London so not much travel for fans. In 2007 you had to travel from France if you were on a bit of a tour; and b) in 2007 the games did not involve Wales. I'm sure Wales would sell out the MS for a world cup game, even if it is against a 'minnow' side. We got 70,000 in to watch the world cup semi in the TV when the match was in NZ last time!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote: Same as the PRL do to promoted clubs like Exe - cry me a river, GT

Turning down WR As, is also turning down a 30,000 capacity dedicated rugby stadium.

Clearly the IRB have no legacy aspirations for the 2015 RWC. Just creaming punters for their own coffers.

If the they touted this as Wales being a co-host I don't think anyone would have complained then.

SecretFly wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

Effervescing Elephant wrote:I really don't have an issue with Wales having games at the MS. As long as they fill the stadium and bring that amazing match day atmosphere it'll be a brilliant advert for rugby. After all is said and done that is what the World cup is all about. Making rugby look fun and entertaining around the world. Wales at the MS delivers this in bucket loads.

At least there is one person on here who is sharp enough to know why Wales are playing two minor games at home i.e., money. It is also an agreement with the WRU who have shared two RWC's with the other home unions in the same way as England. It is a shame that not more rugby grounds are not used but again it is all about revenue..

Will they be minor games for the opponents though?

Didn't we all feel a level of sympathy for the 'minor' sides last time when they were pushed into playing games in quick succession as the 'bigger' sides got more time to get over injury niggles etc?
So now two minor sides have to face Wales at home in a WC hosted by England. It might be a relatively small advantage in terms of relative quality of opponents...but it's an advantage two minor sides could probably do without all the same.

Exactly right.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

Effervescing Elephant wrote:I really don't have an issue with Wales having games at the MS. As long as they fill the stadium and bring that amazing match day atmosphere it'll be a brilliant advert for rugby. After all is said and done that is what the World cup is all about. Making rugby look fun and entertaining around the world. Wales at the MS delivers this in bucket loads.

At least there is one person on here who is sharp enough to know why Wales are playing two minor games at home i.e., money. It is also an agreement with the WRU who have shared two RWC's with the other home unions in the same way as England. It is a shame that not more rugby grounds are not used but again it is all about revenue..

Will they be minor games for the opponents though?

Didn't we all feel a level of sympathy for the 'minor' sides last time when they were pushed into playing games in quick succession as the 'bigger' sides got more time to get over injury niggles etc?
So now two minor sides have to face Wales at home in a WC hosted by England. It might be a relatively small advantage in terms of relative quality of opponents...but it's an advantage two minor sides could probably do without all the same.

Exactly right.

It will test the mettle of Welsh fans to fill the stadium though. In 2007, Fiji 29-16 Canada : Att 21,175.

Looks like we are all set to have another NZ-France QF in Cardiff

Also I see nobody complaining about Scotland playing a couple almost at home

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I think it's terrible that Wales are playing two games at the Millennium Stadium, regardless of their opponents in those games. Whose World Cup is this?

If the organisers want to use the stadium, fine; use it for games not involving Wales. Only the hosts should have home advantage.

Poetic Justice whould make Wales play the 2 matches in Paris to repay their help with the previous French bid except Paris not involved this time around

whocares wrote:Looks like we are all set to have another NZ-France QF in Cardiff

Also I see nobody complaining about Scotland playing a couple almost at home

Nor Ireland a couple nearly at home whocares!

whocares wrote:Looks like we are all set to have another NZ-France QF in Cardiff

Also I see nobody complaining about Scotland playing a couple almost at home

Noooo, I've still barely recovered from the trauma of the last one

lauriehow wrote:Seems to me that Wales have the short end of the stick. We play 6 days before we go to Twickenham to meet England who have 8 days before the game. And is it just coincidence that England cannot meet NZ before the final? As for all the bleating about why should Wales get home games...as a reward for being stitched up?

Friday 6 Feb 15 at the Millennium will be a great forerunner - I would not miss it for a million pounds.

I think that's because we qualified as 3rd seeds. It's the same disadvantage as Samoa, Tonga et al., had in the 2011 world cup. That'll teach us for being so up and down all of the time.

greytiger wrote:

whocares wrote:Looks like we are all set to have another NZ-France QF in Cardiff

Also I see nobody complaining about Scotland playing a couple almost at home

Nor Ireland a couple nearly at home whocares!

Last time I looked at a map France was pretty close to the host Nation too What is it? 21 miles or something. The ferry to Holyhead is about 62 miles. So Ireland, France and Scotland are close to England...quelle suprise there! Meanwhile its still only England and Wales with the Home games.

SecretFly wrote:

greytiger wrote:

whocares wrote:Looks like we are all set to have another NZ-France QF in Cardiff

Also I see nobody complaining about Scotland playing a couple almost at home

Nor Ireland a couple nearly at home whocares!

Last time I looked at a map France was pretty close to the host Nation too What is it? 21 miles or something. The ferry to Holyhead is about 62 miles. So Ireland, France and Scotland are close to England...quelle suprise there! Meanwhile its still only England and Wales with the Home games.

England are repaying the 'debt' from the '99 World Cup. Gentlemen's agreement, and all that.

London -Paris 2 1/2 hours by train.
Paris 'closer' than Newcastle, and similar to Cardiff by rail.

Dublin is sort of 'close' but only by air.

Well anything but central london, the channel Islands and possibly kent is far away unless you have a direct flight. Cardiff is anything but close from here and the ireland france game is clearly designed to facilitate the Irish fan presence in the MS (mind you its almost the same time from london on the m4 than twickers with those funny southeast train shuttle from waterloo).

The England v France games should be moved to Northfleet FC ground, which is handy for Ebbsfleet International Rail, on the London/Paris line.

gregortree wrote:London -Paris 2 1/2 hours by train.
Paris 'closer' than Newcastle, and similar to Cardiff by rail.

Dublin is sort of 'close' but only by air.

Paris is a long way from France-Rugby Central Stn.

whocares wrote:Well anything but central london, the channel Islands and possibly kent is far away unless you have a direct flight. Cardiff is anything but close from here and the ireland france game is clearly designed to facilitate the Irish fan presence in the MS (mind you its almost the same time from london on the m4 than twickers with those funny southeast train shuttle from waterloo).

Irish fans don't need such courtesy extended, whocares. If the game was on the moon, there'd still be a half stadium full of Irish people - some of whom would have gotten there after making their own rustic spaceships in their back gardens...with fuel enough only for a one way journey!

Grey,

Gare du Nord to St Denis by RER...
is similar to Waterloo to Twickenham, although not sure that RER does those nice rugby specials.

Cardiff MS at least is bang by the railway station, albeit the train frequency / capacity are both crape.

The RER journey is one stop ie 10 minutes. Last time I went to twickenham I didnt take the fast service from waterloo. Took me 45 minutes. Its part of the experience so as long I dont need to go to the loo, I dont mind but yeah ebbsfleet or ashford by all means

Kingsholm is 5 minutes walk from Gloucester station.
For the RWC Scots visitors for their opening game, there is a frequent Newcastle / Penzance rail service stopping at Gloucester. May need to get a feeder train to Newcastle to start with.