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![LV= Cup [Anglo-Welsh]](images/LV Cup 2011 SB.jpg)
THE mecca of English rugby, TWICKENHAM is, following the redevelopment of the south stand in 2006, the largest venue in the world which is dedicated solely to rugby union. Although the stadium has, and does, occasionally host other events – the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, and concerts by the likes of U2, Genesis, Police, Bon Jovi and the Rolling Stones – the fact that it is wholly owned by the Rugby Football Union means it has control over the stadium. It is also home to the World Rugby Museum, which houses one of the finest collections of rugby memorabilia in the world and covers the history of the game globally, not just in England. The stadium has recently been expanded to incorporate new coorporate suites and restaurants in the East Stand.AIR: Twickenham is approximately six miles from London Heathrow, 20 miles from London City Airport, 30 miles from London Gatwick and 40 miles from London Luton. If you are travelling to Heathrow and require a transfer to central London, you can use the Heathrow Express.
TWICKENHAM STADIUM
STADE DE FRANCE is not actually in Paris, but just north of the capital city, in the suburb of Saint Denis. It was built for the 1998 football World Cup, which the host nation won. The rugby team have thus far not been able to emulate that feat, despite Stade de France being the only stadium in the world to host both football and rugby World Cup finals. It has a capacity of 80,000 and on its completion took over from Parc des Princes as the home of French rugby. In addition it has hosted international football matches and Champions League finals, the world athletics championship, the Race of Champions motorsport event and a number of domestic events in both football and rugby, although no club team is permanently based there.AIR: The nearest airport is the Charles de Gaulle then take the RER Line B direct to the stadium
STADE DE FRANCE
THE AVIVA STADIUM made its championship bow in 2010, and it is testimony to its success that it quickly felt like home to Irish rugby. It is also home to the Republic of Ireland’s national football team and has hosted the Europa League final. It is controlled by a joint venture between the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Football Association of Ireland, who together hold a 60-year lease on the stadium, after which it will return to the exclusive ownership of the IRFU. Built by the same firm of architects that was behind the Millennium Stadium (not to mention the O2 arenas in Dublin and London and the new Wimbledon Centre Court), the Aviva employs an undulating, wavelike roof similar to that of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.AIR: Dublin airport is about 25 minutes’ drive to the stadium; the Air Coach provides a 24-hour service to the nearby D4 Inn on Lansdowne Road
AVIVA STADIUM
THE STADIO OLIMPICO is the largest sports facility in Rome, Italy, seating over 70,000 spectators. It is located within the Foro Italico sports complex, north of the city. As well as the home of Italian Rugby since 2012, is the home stadium of the AS Roma and SS Lazio football clubs. It was built to serve as the centrepiece of the Foro Italia sports complex, a project initiated by the regime of Mussolini. Construction started in 1928 and a first tier had been finished in 1932. Works on the second tier were halted though due to the outbreak of the Second World War and were only resumed in December 1950, officially opening in 1953. Stadio Olimpico served as the centrepiece stadium for the 1960 Olympics, and for this all terraces got converted into seats, resulting in a capacity of 53,000 seats. The 1990 Football World Cup saw the stadium overhauled with a new roof and capacity increased in access of 70,000.AIR: Leonardo da Vinci-Flumicino Airport (FCO)is 40km from the stadium. Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA) is 35km away.
STADIO OLIMPICO
BT MURRAYFIELD, alone among the 6 Nations venues, is also home to a club side, in this case Edinburgh Rugby who play both Magners League and Heineken Cup matches there. The ground was purchased in 1922 for £3,800 from the old Edinburgh Polo Ground and Murray’s Field. Following its renovation in 1994 it became the largest sports stadium in Scotland, with a capacity of 67,130. In addition to rugby the stadium has, on occasion, hosted football, American football and rugby league games, as well as pop concerts from the likes of Bon Jovi and Oasis.AIR: Edinburgh airport is about 30 minutes’ drive north west of the stadium
BT MURRAYFIELD STADIUM
NOW widely acknowledged as one of the world’s best sports and entertainment venues, the newly re-branded Principality Stadium (formerly Millennium) replaced nearby Cardiff Arms Park as the home of Wales Rugby Union in 1999. Boasting a capacity of 74,500, it has a fully retractable roof and was designed to be a multi-purpose event venue. It hosts football matches (FA Cup finals and Wales internationals), speedway Grands Prix, rugby league, indoor cricket and boxing, not to mention pop concerts. It is essentially a concrete stadium into which pallets of natural grass can be rolled for sporting events.AIR: Wales International airport is 20 minutes’ drive from stadium
PRINCIPALITY STADIUM
