CHRIS KIRWAN SAYS: Time for Euro rugby to spread its wings
9:00am Thursday 18th July 2013 in Sport
FROM the moment that Paris was unable to host the European finals it was clear that Cardiff was going to profit.
The Millennium Stadium has proved to be a fantastic venue for Heineken Cup finals and the Arms Park next door is perfect for the Amlin Challenge Cup.
The Welsh Rugby Union were swift to push their case and they were always likely to be successful.
Yesterday’s announcement didn’t exactly have the excitement of an Olympics big reveal, especially given that it was advertised to the media on Monday with a press conference in Cardiff.
The Millennium Stadium gets the thumbs-up from all that play there and all that watch from the stands.
It also has a great history with European competition.
There is a lengthy list of great finales in the capital – Toulouse winning the first tournament and Brive stunning Leicester in the old the Hand of Back, Peter Stringer helping break Munster’s duck, Leinster’s magnificent comeback against Northampton – and 2014 should prove no different.
It’s great news for us in this part of Europe that the finals will be held in Cardiff, even if the chances of Welsh representation are slim.
But there is also a disappointment that there has not yet been a final outside of Wales, England, France or Scotland.
If the Heineken Cup survives beyond the coming season then it’s essential that the honour goes to Rome, Milan, Barcelona or San Sebastián, although the 32,076 capacity of Estadio Anoeta in the last of those may be a little low.
The early days of European competition saw plenty of neutrals in the stands and such venues would certainly prove popular with tourists.
It would do rugby the power of good to spread its boundaries, although the Sevens World Cup provided a note of caution.
The decision to head to Moscow last month was a brave one but the sight of empty stands didn’t exactly add to the drama.
That’s why Cardiff is a safe bet – seats will be sold regardless of who plays – but it’s time to take a gamble.
If there is a 2015 final then it must not be at the Millennium Stadium, Twickenham, Murrayfield or the Aviva Stadium.
A new, rejigged Heineken Cup could be given a real spark by going away from the big four.
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CHRIS KIRWAN SAYS: Time for Euro rugby to spread its wings
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