Glaws fans on the move?
By Cherry Picker January 23 2008
Gloucester have been offered the chance to play their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster at a bigger stadium. The game is due to be played on the weekend of Apil 5, and it’s sure to pack Kingsholm if it is played there. But a larger corwd would mean more money for Glaws and for the game. Coventry's Ricoh Arena is one possible alternative venue.
All Gloucester’s fans will want to see the game, and Munster have a massive following who will be keen to see the game. They have switched a game to Lansdowne Road in the past. John Corcoran, the ERC Communications Manager, says: : "When a club has earned the right to have a home quarter-final, which is an achievement in itself, it is down to them where they play. "We do encourage the clubs to consider larger venues and incentivise that."We will be talking to Gloucester regarding the requirements and facilities, but it is entirely their decision." The incentive is that if Glaws switch the game, they would get 65 per cent of the gate revenue, as opposed to a 50-50 split if they opt to stay at Kingsholm.
Both Leicester and Biarritz have moved to larger stadiums in recent years, the Tigers filling the Walkers Stadium with 32,500 fans. Glaws will discuss the possiblemove later, when they will also consider where they could move the game to.
Meanwhile, Glaws have confirmed that skipper Marco Bortolami (right) has suffered a double fracture to his left eye socket. Doctors in Italy are deciding whether he needs surgery, but he will probably be out for up to six weeks. However, this would mean him missing only one extra Glaws game as he is in the Italy six nations squad. Glaws coach Dean Ryan said told the Citizen: “At this stage of a very demanding season you pick up injuries but this is a significant blow alongside the injury we have already suffered to Alex Brown. “We will monitor the situation and at this stage we have not decided whether we need to look for a short-term replacement but it is an option we will consider when we know the full extent of Marco’s injury.”
Im sure Glaws v Munster could fill a 30-40k capacity stadium but it would say a lot about the modern game if this game was moved from Kingsholm. Whats the point in building the new stand, upgrading facilities etc if you are not going to use the stadium for big games such as this one? I really hope they keep it at the 'holm and its packed to the rafters for a proper Rugby occasion.
Whats the capacity at Ashton Gate? I would think any alternative venue would need to be at least 30k capacity to make it worthwhile financially to switch. If its anywhere I wouldn't bet against the Ricoh Stadium at Coventry where Wasps have played or even Molineaux at Wolves.
Go for it. Moving to a bigger venue served tigers well in Europe, and it's not like Kingsholm has a reputation as a difficult place to win or anything.
Its okay. Glaws confirm the game is at Kingsholm. They admit it would make financial sense to move the game but want the opportunity to show off the new and improved Kingsholm and give Glaws a proper chance. Good decision all round I say
By switching grounds you loose home advanatge. Tiggers switched to the Walkers stadium for their HC 1/4 tie in 2006 against us.............and look what happened !!
Depends what your priorities are I suppose. No doubt Wee Toms bankers would of liked a bigger stadium to be chosen but Munster have a terrible record at Kingsholm and the Glaws side will need all the support they can get to try and beat Munsters very effective ten man Rugby.
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Meanwhile, Glaws have confirmed that skipper Marco Bortolami (right) has suffered a double fracture to his left eye socket. 
