6 Nations Back in Rome

After announcing that they would be leaving the Stadio Flaminio to move to Florence the Italian Rugby Federation has done a U-Turn and there will be a return to Rome.

However instead of the Stadio Flaminio it will be at the Stadio Olympico which has hosted Champions Leagues, World Cup Finals and Olympic Games. Now rugby will be there too at the 72,000 seater stadium.

Rugby is definitely on the rise in popularity! Possible Heineken Cup Final location?

Thats a great stadium and the italians will easyly fill it
A HC final would be a very good idea and would help to increase the awareness of rugby in italy, maybe a pro12 final first thought to test the waters might be better

They need to make it to the Pro 12 Final if they want to host it.

And I think the Italy v New Zealand Test proved their resolve:

Italy 6 - 20 New Zealand
San Siro, Milan
Attendance: 81,000
http://www.espnscrum.com/newzealandtour/rugby/story/105743.html

Awesome- should be able to get tickets if I decide to go over there for a game sometime as well.

A HC final in Rome would be amazing.

I hope the FIR continue to hold Autumn Internationals in Northern Italy. It's a big enough country and population that moving games around is sensible. Northern Italy is more keen on rugby, but Rome is the market they need to get into.

They should strike a balance.

Can't wait to see a game on tv there and I hope it goes well.

It should definitely get a HC final. It's bigger than the Aviva and places like Cardiff and Twickenham have had their fair share now. This and that stadium in Barcelona that USAP used recently are definite locations that should be used.

Wales have a long wait to visit the new venue Wales have Italy at home next 6N, go move.

Great I love rome for the six nations. Italy should definitely get a hec final soon but I suppose the fear is that they would struggle to sell out the venue depending on the teams that got there. Its very unlikely that an Italian team would get there and it would be a disaster if two french teams got there (stereotyping fans i know) and didnt fill the show case event of northern hempishere club rugby.

valjester wrote:Its very unlikely that an Italian team would get there and it would be a disaster if two french teams got there (stereotyping fans i know) and didnt fill the show case event of northern hempishere club rugby.

Its a good point

i am glad it stays in rome, and i hope it will for sometime, i know the stadio flaminio is getting on a bit but it is such a passionate stadium and i always hoped i could visit it, (being 16 its not easy) but maybe sometime in the future?

and good to see italian rugby is on the rise

FAn-bl**dy-tastic.

Rome is the only place I have not done yet and was gutted when heard I might have missed out on that trip so will be making sure I will be there next time.

Glad they've seen sense and kept it in Rome. I'll miss Stadio Flaminio though, been there for every one of Wales' 6 Nations games and have seen the 'home' fans really take to rugby. For the first, in 2001, the place was a sea of red. Since then 'home' fans have increased and the passion is tremendous. My only worry is the Stadio Olympico may be a bit soulless, I hope not

The running track around it and an overly big size may be probelms. Gonna try get over to it.

STAG - any tips you need, let me know mo chara. We have 6 trips under our belt

Well I am actually a little disappointed, mostly because I was looking forward to a trip to Florence!

However, the move to a big stadium can only be a good thing, hopefully will mean cheaper tickets too! Penfro, I've been to all the England Italy games in Rome as as you say, the home support is growing and growing so I hope they can sell out the stadium and make a big statement for Italian rugby.

I think it a a bit of a joke that there hasnt been a H cup final in Italy personally, admittedly theres a very low chance of a home team being there, which could mean less fans, but then surely thats the case in Edinburgh too? (No offence to Scottish fans).

As a ps, do you have a link for the story please?

Bathman I can't post it in work. Go to the RTE news sport section. I read it in there.

Pete I will DEF take you up on that. Though I may need help with Llanelli first.

I agree 100% Bathman. They deserve a Heineken cup final. I know Val made the point it would be a disaster if two French teams got to the final but really that's the case if the thing is held anywhere outside of France so I don't buy that argument. The millennium stadium has hosted some of the best heineken cup finals and a Welsh team has been nowhere near a heineken cup final so the Italians should be given a chance to host a great final too.

On the stadium itself, I'm not sure of the support base in Florence v/s Rome but it's great to see another country move to a bigger stadium. Ten years ago would you have thought Italy would be playing six nations rugby in a 72,000 stadium and be beating France? It's great to see and hopefully they push on with Treviso and Aironi as well as the international team now and keep the momentum going.

Ok, cheers Stag I will have a look. I need to stop my old man from being too organised and booking up flights to Florence!

red_stag wrote: Though I may need help with Llanelli first.

Everyone, apart from those one-eyed 'Turks', needs help with Llanelli .... hope Dreamer and 'herself' don't read this

Seriously, what help do you think you'll need ? Transport links ? Accommodation ? Here to help mucker

PenfroPete wrote:

red_stag wrote: Though I may need help with Llanelli first.

Everyone, apart from those one-eyed 'Turks', needs help with Llanelli .... hope Dreamer and 'herself' don't read this

Seriously, what help do you think you'll need ? Transport links ? Accommodation ? Here to help mucker

I need to see the dates first. They just arranging transport/accomodation and drinking buddies from there on

Well, "drinking buddies" are sorted

bedfordwelsh wrote:FAn-bl**dy-tastic.

Rome is the only place I have not done yet and was gutted when heard I might have missed out on that trip so will be making sure I will be there next time.

+1 - gonna make that trip this year now

PenfroPete wrote:Well, "drinking buddies" are sorted

As is somebody to chuck eggs at you Stag. I'll be up for that task

Ah but you'll told me your gym secrets now Rev. I am easily counter any thing you throw at me.

Safe And Sound!

You got me there Stag. Twice. Maybe I'll have to add a sneaky extra to accompany the eggs. Plenty of thinking time anyway. It's a month and a half to the first league game anyway. The longer the fixture is delayed, the more trouble you could be in.

I can wear a Dragons shirt I'll be untouchable there. Or produce my Dragons keyring (I actually have a Dragon on my keys Cari gave it to me). I'll be Safe And Sound then.