Premiership 'away end' trial games confirmed

Premiership Rugby can confirm plans to trial designated away zones for visiting supporters who choose to be seated together inside the stadium during the Gallagher Premiership run-in.

The first trial will be held this weekend when Saracens host Gloucester Rugby at the StoneX Stadium, live on TNT Sports, with travelling Cherry & White supporters clustered together if they decide to partake in the scheme, which has been introduced in an attempt to create more atmosphere inside grounds.

The second trial will see Leicester Tigers welcome Harlequins to the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, with the London club’s CEO, Laurie Dalrymple, hoping their fans will effectively act as the 16th player and cheer their side on to victory.

“We are incredibly proud of our passionate away support and are thrilled to be a part of this trial as we constantly strive to improve the matchday experience for our fans – both home and away,” he said.

“Our Champions Cup quarter-final victory in Bordeaux last season was a special day that will live long in the memory, and the incredible energy that our travelling cluster of fans produced on the day was central to a famous win on the road.

“Our passionate Supporters’ Club, Quinssa, already do great work buying groups of tickets for away matches and to now be exploring designated ‘away zones’ will only add to the community feel for the Quins travelling fans.”

While there will be no segregation like at football matches, Saracens and Leicester will give away supporters the option to group into one block.

Rob Calder, Chief Growth Officer at Premiership Rugby, added: “The opportunity to trial these away zones during The Run-In is a progressive step for rugby, and I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the clubs involved in facilitating these trials.

“Home and away fans sitting together, sharing a drink and chatting about the game, is a great tradition of our sport, and there is no desire to change that. This project is about providing an additional ticketing option to travelling supporters.

“We’ve also listened to our players who say that they thrive off the noise and energy that a vocal cluster of away support can bring. We’re excited to see how these trials impact the matchday experience and atmosphere both inside the stadium and on-screen.”