Rugby World Cup snub of Leicester Tigers is 'nonsensical'

“This is nothing to do with the length of the pitch, it's all to do with bums on seats and cash through the turnstiles.

The King Power stadium is a soulless concrete barn. I have watched the Tigers play there and have been very disappointed. The seats are too far from the pitch and the banking is so shallow that optimal viewing positions are impossible.

I have seen Rugby played at a number of soccer grounds and have seen players injured through running or being knocked into advertising hoardings at the ends of the pitch because the space between them and the playing area is too small. If the Welford Road pitch were extended in length then the safety margin would be reduced; if that were not the case then the Tigers management might have already considered this.”

“the pitch at welford road has been that length for more that 24 years . we have had games between tonga and italy, under 18 internationals , south africa , australia, argentina. and comeing up the moari all blacks so what is the problem.?”

“Deal with the decision guys & girls (sounds like sour grapes to me) having the world cup rugby games at the Fabulous King Power Stadium will put Leicester on the world map- but City will be in the Premiership by then anyhow so everyone will know where to go wont they !!”

“The facts are quite simple: the RFU won the bid by including Welford Road as one of the proposed stadia. 3 years later, the IRB decide that our pitch isn't big enough.
So, why did the IRB award the 2015 event to England?
The rules haven't changed...the MAXIMUM size of a rugby pitch is 100m, there is nothing in the rules that state a pitch has to be 95m. If there was such a rule we wouldn't be playing rugby at Welford Road at all.
If something looks like a rat and smells like a rat, it usually is a rat....”

“"The organisers said that the main reason Welford Road was not selected was because the pitch is not big enough. It is four metres shorter than the smallest criteria of 95 metres."

so if the olympic 100m sprint had to be the 96m sprint at the tigers due to size of venue , and the tigers being the birth of 100m sprint , thats ok ? still do it ? dont think so do you ?

surely extending the pitch 2m each end is poss ? if not read it and weep , it doesnt meet the criteria . oh my days .”

“The Tigers pitch doesnt meet the criteria, it isnt big enough. Leicester City's ground so it says has better off field facilities, plus the pitch is bigger and the Tigers have played Rugby matches there before. Getting an MP to pose in front of a camera wont help. Yes the Tigers ground is the best club Rugby ground in the country but as I have already said the pitch doesnt meet the required criteria.
If they change their mind on the Tigers ground, what is to stop many other clubs appealing and saying why cant we be included? The floodgates will open. At least Leicester may possibly have the opportunity to host some world cup matches, lets be thankful for that.”

“Is this pick and choose?

A Con MP was also quoted in the article but Democrat somewhat undemocratically left him out of his criticism. There's a surprise!

But praise where it is due - a least one MP is pictured in his constituency. My Con MP rarely seems to visit, at least I've never seen him around.

Back to the rugby - the Rugby World Cup should be for the Clubs that provide the players and their fans, amongst others. It should not just be to make a hefty profit. No way should Tigers Welford Road ground be left out. And when the old wooden stand is replaced, the pitch will no doubt be widened.”

“It does appear that the club has been shunned again - is there not a compromise with the pitch size when recognising the status of the club and the ground within european Rugby?

The club appears to be recognised and seems top of the places to 'raid' and it is a very different situation when the England team wants most of the Tigers players to play in world cups. If the tigers chairman is 'hugely disappointed' with the decision, it doesn't seem inconceivable that the club at least expected to get onto this shortlist in the first place!”

“MP's – I love 'em.

Just simply cannot resist jumping on a bandwagon without checking the facts.

Jon Ashworth MP manages to find time in his busy day to meet a LM photographer and pose looking ermmm is that stern or concerned or constipated?

He describes it as 'nonsensical'. Well Jon the rules say the pitch has to be of a certain size and Tigers pitch isn't so it is perfectly reasonable.

And he went to University!”

“Come on Leicester Mercury why not start an on line petition”