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Call for a designated away fan area has whipped up fans on Twitter
By Liam Heagney
Harlequins’ Will Evans has called for the introduction of designated away fan areas at rugby stadiums to help improve the atmosphere at matches. The London club had its fans congregated in a particular section at last Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup match away to Racing 92 and the noise that was generated is something that the club’s back-rower wants to be repeated elsewhere.
Creating a racket in a designated away fan area isn’t something new to Harlequins - Danny Care has often remarked about the atmosphere the club’s fans generated at the June 2021 Gallagher Premiership semi-final when Bristol allocated them a specific area during a limited capacity match that took place during the pandemic restrictions.
It was also famously said Harlequins’ decision to group Leinster fans together in a designated block was a key factor in the Irish province’s 2009 Heineken European Cup quarter-final 'Bloodgate' win at The Stoop.
Evans wants the decibel levels at matches to be constantly raucous and he believes away sections at grounds are the way to go. Replying to a post-match video of Marcus Smith that Harlequins posted on their Twitter feed following last weekend’s Paris trip, Evans wrote: “Rugby stadiums NEED a designated away fan area that stays the same year on year.
“It’s impossible to create this level of atmosphere without it. Atmosphere = higher attendances/crazier games/better quality rugby. We can’t continue to hold the game back any longer.
“This bizarre myth that if people of the same club all sit together they will be violent or insightful is mind-numbing. It’s bordering on arrogance that we think we are the only sport where people can sit together and not be violent. Average attendances around the leagues are awful (even in Europe). It’s BAD to play in. Players want this. You will see a better product because of it. By all means, sit in the home end and chat with the locals, no problem. But it adds very little to the atmosphere inside the stadium.
“No one’s going to stop you from buying a ticket in the designated home section. Nor is anyone saying cordon or segregate anyone. But if fans want to add to the spectacle on the pitch by creating an atmosphere you can’t get by the current situation, why on earth stop that!?”
Evans’ suggestion generated plenty of feedback both for and against the idea of a designated away fan area but perhaps the most insightful response in the current climate where rugby wants to grow came from fan Stephen Wall, who suggested that whatever the opinion more players need to speak up. “Fair play,” he wrote. “Need more current players stating their views in public.”
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Latest Comments
I am.
Go to commentsI cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.
This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.
A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.
Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.
When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.
Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.
The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.
I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.
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