Bristol City's Colin Sexstone baffled at Rugby World Cup snub
Bristol City chief executive Colin Sexstone is baffled as to why Bristol has been overlooked as a match venue should England's bid to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup prove successful, writes Steve Cotton.
Sexstone says it is "almost inconceivable" that no matches will be played in the city should the Rugby Football Union win the right to host the tournament.
The RFU presented its bid to the International Rugby Board in Dublin yesterday – and seven club football grounds were included. But while Anfield (Liverpool), Old Trafford (Manchester United), Emirates Stadium (Arsenal), St James' Park (Newcastle), Ricoh Arena (Coventry), Elland Road (Leeds) and St Mary's (Southampton) are all on the list, there is no place for Bristol City's new 30,000-seater stadium at Ashton Vale, which is due to be open long before the tournament kicks off.
And Sexstone said: "We have never been approached by the RFU at any stage, so we didn't know they were bidding to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup until we read about it in the papers.
"As soon as we saw it, we wrote a letter to them informing them we will have a 30,000-seater stadium in Bristol by then and we would be very interesting in staging something, as we did in 1999.
"But still we have heard nothing back. It seems almost inconceivable they haven't included Bristol, because if you are talking about rugby hotbeds, Bristol and Bath are among the major rugby areas in the country."
Ashton Gate hosted a pool match when the World Cup came to England in 1999, a Jonah Lomu-inspired New Zealand beating Tonga 45-9 in front of 21,000 spectators.
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by Jim, Cardiff, ex-Bristol
Thursday, May 14 2009, 3:46PM
“Grow up Jon.
The Millennium stadium is (proposed to) be used, which I acknowledged is odd given that it's an 'English' world cup bid. I also said some of the smaller games should be played at the new or existing BCFC stadium. How is that relating to Cardiff being precious?
Finally, Bristol is more of a rugby city than Coventry IMO, and certainly more so than Southampton, hence my view that it is odd to choose those places over Bristol.”
by john, briz
Thursday, May 14 2009, 3:16PM
“@ Jim Cardiff
You clearly don't know what you are talking about if you say Coventry isn't rugby orientated.
Its also at least the same size as your precious Cardiff.”
by Nikki, Blaise
Thursday, May 14 2009, 12:11PM
“After the fuss that Bristol City kicked up about not letting Bristol Rugby groud-share as they didn't want rugby played on their precious ground, why would the RFU offer them extra income by asking them to host matches. As much as I would love to have matches in Bristol, I don't think it's a suitable stadium. I would prefer the money went to Rugby clubs.
Now what about a few matches at the Mem!!!!!”
by mancgas, mere
Thursday, May 14 2009, 11:17AM
“in other shock news, the new trashton will not be considered for the inauguration of Charles as King of England, a venue for the Olympic sailing events, or the World beach volley ball championships. Sexton build it first them try to host things. As a merekat says "simples"”
by Rugger, Bristol
Thursday, May 14 2009, 11:11AM
“What is Mr Seckston on about? Why on earth would the RFU base their bid on non-existant (or even applied for) facilities?”
by Joe, Bristol
Thursday, May 14 2009, 10:50AM
“It may well be that the RFU deem Bristol unsuitable because of the non existant public Transport system,if this is the case,they show sound judgement.”
by Jim, Cardiff, ex Bristol
Thursday, May 14 2009, 10:48AM
“I must admit it would seem strange to choose Coventry and Southampton over Bristol..both smaller cities and less rugby oriented, but I suppose those stadia are built and guaranteed to exist in time for 2015. Also, Coventry is probably as close for Gloucester as Ashton Gate is. Anyway, the big thing is that the Millennium Stadium has been put forward which puts the boot into any other stadium in south west britain. Bit odd that it's an English world cup bid using a welsh stadium, but that tends to happen in rugby, so no real surprise.
Anyway, it makes sense to have a Wales/West England group with the bigger games at the Millennium and smaller games at new/old Ashton Gate, the new Cardiff city stadium and Swansea.”
by Peter, Bristol
Thursday, May 14 2009, 10:43AM
“Mat i think you are right but they have included Gloucester in staduims so i presume they think thats ok for the south west. I do wonder if teams like arsenal best surface in the uk will want 30 heavyweights damaging the ground just before a start of season or during the winter part of season. Havent heard from the football clubs have we?”
by mat, horfield
Thursday, May 14 2009, 10:11AM
“Jonboy, loved your gags, but they make no sense. The point Colin is making is not about the size of the venue, or the gamour of the venue, but about who's going to come and watch.
Do you really think you're going to get 30,000 people from Liverpool or wanting to traipse up to Liverpool to watch a rugby match between Tonga and New Zealand, when you could host the match in the South West, home to three of the biggest clubs in the country and close to the hotbed of South Wales?
No. Instead, anyone from Bristol, Bath or Gloucester (or any of the rugby-playing surrounding area) will have to travel to at least Southampton. A round-trip of at least 130 miles.
Nice one, RFU. Really well thought out.”
by steve, clevedon
Thursday, May 14 2009, 9:10AM
“Would anyone in their right mind plan a venue that hasn't even got planning permission yet!!”