Home comforts: Twickenham Stoop
Harlequins have confirmed that their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster will be held at the Twickenham Stoop.
The number one seeds were rumoured to be considering moving the fixture to Twickenham Stadium in order to attract a bumper crowd but "a gesture of appreciation to its supporters and players" the English champions have decided that the tie will be held at their usual home, which has a capacity of just under 15,000.
"The Stoop ranks among the finest club rugby grounds not just in this country, but also in Europe and is perfectly capable of hosting big occasions such as this quarter-final," Harlequins chief executive told his side's official website.
"Our players have worked hard to secure a home quarter-final and our loyal supporters have backed them every step of the way. It is only right therefore that we play the match where our players and supporters are most comfortable."
Confirmation of the day and kick-off time of the quarter-final is expected during the week when ERC, the tournament organiser, completes its negotiations with television broadcasters.
Harlequins have only lost at the Stoop once this season in all competitions.
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Having felt a bit silly watching Tigers blow it at the walker's stadium a few times. You have to say it's smart thinking.
Posted 17:36 23rd January 2013
APV1 says...
Is the "fans" bit more about the Season Ticket holders? Does this match fall into their allocation, where-as if held at The Cabbage Patch they'd essentially be paying twice?
And anyone who has ever been to The Stoop to watch a match will know it's a fantastic venue. Even for a Bath fan.
Posted 17:25 23rd January 2013
BWJC says...
Am I missing something here? The rules states that the top teams from the group stage get to play the QF at HOME. That's the reward for topping the group. If Munster had done better in the group stage then they would have a home fixture. But they didnt, so they have to play away and as their opponents are Quins then they play at Quins home ground, and that would be the Stoop! Completely irrelevant that TW is just across the road.
I'm a Quins season ticket holder, why shouldnt I get to sit in my seat for a massive game just to accommodate the away fans? That's the point about rewarding the fans. There is nothing disappointing / cowardly about it I'm afraid.
Undoubtedly there is a tactical advantage, but as I've said thats the reward for topping the group. If there was no stadium across the road would you lot say we have to move to Wembley to play the game!?
Would have been very easy to go across the road and take the cash, but the Stoop is our home and that's where we have best chance of winning the game.
Looks like a few people here need a little bit more going on their lives if they can find something to moan about in this!!!
Posted 13:28 23rd January 2013
lawynd says...
@Waz4before - Welford Road has a capacity of ~24,000 and there are plans to expand to 30,000 in the future. Should London Irish ever get back into Heineken contention, the Madjeski has a capacity of ~24,000 also, and Kingsholm (Gloucester) accomdates 16,500. Sarries new ground will eventually be around the 17,000 mark. Compare those to the RDS (18,500) and Thomond Park (26,500) and I think the results are more than favourable, especially given that the English stadia were paid for solely by the clubs and not the RFU, where the Irish clubs received funding from the IRFU or had a stadium provided by the RDS. Ravenhill requires temporary seating to get it up to ERC standards and whilst the Welsh and Scottish clubs have impressive stadia, they never fill them!
Posted 13:18 23rd January 2013
cah04 says...
Disappointing. Would be a great occasion at Twickenham, although I'm sure the Stoop will be ok.
Clearly Quins are concerned about the Munster support. I sincerely hope they don't follow the Saracens model & employ the PA system to drown out the away supporters' singing & destroy any atmosphere.
Posted 10:10 23rd January 2013
liam2me says...
Cowards
Posted 07:39 23rd January 2013
Sincero says...
was the cut-off not 15k???
Posted 03:56 23rd January 2013
Waz4before says...
hmmmm, a crowd of under 15,000 versus a crowd of over 50,000 just up the road??
Personally, I suspect this has more to do with Quins feeling they have a better chance of winning at the Stoop than they do at Twickenham, can't blame them but this once again highlights the fact that every top-class English Rugby ground has an inadequate capacity for these big games ...
Posted 02:55 23rd January 2013
irishinlondon says...
I thought all knockout stage grounds had to be 15000+? Also I was informed that the reasons were mainly that they did not want to be drowned out by the Munster support if they went across the road!
Posted 23:52 22nd January 2013
J_HDK says...
LOL - It's not for the fans. It's boxing clever. They know that the Munster supporters would travel in their 10,000s and probably end up taking close to 50% of the seats at Twickenham. At the Stoop, the Quins supporters, I'm sure, will take up 67% of the seats at least.
Not going for the quick cashflow now shows that they know the semis are a lottery and anyone can win it.
Posted 22:53 22nd January 2013
Physiodan says...
I thought there was a minimum capacity of 15000 for a QF not just under it? Double standards I think!
Posted 20:36 22nd January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Less space for travelling Munstermen.
Posted 20:29 22nd January 2013
Norm says...
How on earth (unless you only have 15000 supporters) is restricting the capacity to 15000 an appreciation of your supporters?
Look if you are afraid of being outnumbered in Twickenham by Munster fans fair play, that is Harlequins prerogative, but dont try and pass it off as a favour to fans! Do me a favour!
Good news Munster at least they are weary of you coming, personally think Munster will have to play better than they have done for a couple of years otherwise I think this is Harlequins to lose.
Posted 19:55 22nd January 2013
papachinzo says...
O'Shea knows the Irish all too well, they travel to away games in their droves. Very good decision !!
Posted 18:29 22nd January 2013