MP backs world cup stadium bid
The campaign to get Welford Road, the historic home of Leicester Tigers, on to the list of possible Rugby World Cup venues is to be taken up with the sport's world governing body.
Leicester south MP Jon Ashworth is to ask the International Rugby Board to intervene in the row.
Rugby lovers across the East Midlands were outraged when England Rugby 2015 organisers omitted the 24,000 capacity ground from the list of potential venues for group games.
Instead, they selected the 32,000 capacity Leicester City's King Power football stadium to represent the city.
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The current list of 17 venues includes 14 football venues, with the addition of Twickenham, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and Kingsholm, the home of Gloucester RFC.
England Rugby 2015 said Welford Road was rejected because the pitch was not large enough to meet IRB standards.
They also said there were better facilities for the crowd and media at the King Power Stadium
However, more than 1,000 fans signed an online petition. They argue that World Cup games have been played at the ground before, as have Premiership and Heineken Cup matches.
Yesterday, Mr Ashworth raised the issue as a question to Leader of the House of Commons, Andrew Lansley.
Mr Ashworth said he did not get a positive reaction, but added that he had also spoken on the phone to Ross Young, chief operating officer of England Rugby 2015.
Mr Ashworth said: "Mr Young said the choice had been made to comply with IRB regulations. I shall now take up the issue with the IRB to see if they will change their minds and allow Welford Road to be considered."
The list of venues is likely to be cut down to 12 or 10 before the final schedule of matches is published.
Comments
by Bob491
Monday, October 22 2012, 8:35PM
“Oh no it isn't!
I've been to rugby matches in both!”
by garyb2011
Friday, October 19 2012, 8:57AM
“Has Jon Ashworth not got anything better to do?
THE PITCH IS TOO SMALL Jon! ITS NOT BIG ENOUGH JON! THE KING POWER STADIUM IS A BETTER VENUE Jon!”