England rugby’s head coach, Stuart Lancaster, is delighted with the news Manchester’s Etihad Stadium will be a host venue for the 2015 World Cup.
Organisers announced the ground will be one of the host arenas for the showpiece tournament and the venue for England’s final pool stage game.
And Lancaster is looking forward to bringing his team to the Etihad on the biggest stage in world rugby and hearing the local support.
“Taking England to the north is something we’ll relish,” he said.
“It’s an area that’s full of passion and pride, with huge numbers of people playing and involved in the game, and I know we’ll get great support.
“We always get terrific support at Twickenham, so we’re looking forward to the three big games there as well as playing at the Manchester City stadium.”
The SportCity stadium was opened in 2002, after it formed the basis for Manchester’s failed proposal to host the 2000 Olympics.
However, the city won their bid to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the stadium played host to the tournament.
It has since been the home of Manchester City and was given the name ‘Etihad’ following the announcement of a lucrative endorsement deal with the club in 2011.
Wembley, St James’ Park, Villa Park, Elland Road, Brighton’s Amex Stadium, Leicester’s King Power Stadium and MK Dons’ stadium:mk are the other football venues chosen to host the World Cup.
Twickenham, the Millennium Stadium, Gloucester’s Kingsholm and Exeter Chiefs’ Sandy Park are also among the list of 13 stadiums.
And West Ham’s future home, the Olympic Stadium, is set to host five matches, including the bronze medal final, completing the list.
Photo courtesy of Karlinski73, with thanks.
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