1,000 join call for Leicester Tigers's ground to be World Cup host
A Facebook campaign in protest at Tigers' Welford Road home not being listed as a venue for the Rugby World Cup in 2015 has gained about 1,000 supporters.
Nicola Jones, who is behind the campaign, is supporting the demand by Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth to get the venue placed on the shortlist for pool matches.
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Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth is calling for Welford Road to be included on the shortlist for pool matches
Ms Jones said: "We believe it is shameful that, in the birthplace of rugby union, those responsible for its history will not include Welford Road, our fantastic facility, as a venue.
"A huge opportunity is being lost to showcase the success of English clubs in the sport."
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She said the choice of 14 football stadiums on the long list was "a contemptuous snub handed out to great clubs."
"When omitting Welford Road it was stated that the pitch did not meet the criteria set nor did the stadium," Ms Jones said.
"However, in 1991, Welford Road held qualifying matches in that year's World Cup."
She said Heineken Cup and Aviva Premiership matches were held in the stadium.
England Rugby 2015 said the main reason for rejecting Welford Road was that the pitch was 4m short of the minimum size required.
Leicester City's King Power Stadium has been included on the long list.
Comments
by graydjames
Friday, October 12 2012, 5:54PM
“On a very personal note, I am rather amused by this issue. A relative of mine by marriage, sadly no longer with us, a big RU and Tigers fan, who despised football, complained bitterly about matches being played at the Walkers Stadium (as it then was). I remember him stating the view that the Walkers pitch was too wide for rugby. A view that now seems somewhat ironic.”