First class rugby will return to Bridgend's Riverside Hardware Brewery Field home this season after it was confirmed today that the ground will host the LV= Cup fixture between the Ospreys and Leicester Tigers in November.
The game, which takes place on Friday 12th November, with a 7.45pm kick-off, will be the first time that the region has hosted a competitive fixture at the venue.
The move to Bridgend was confirmed after a number of factors were taken into consideration, including an npower Championship fixture scheduled at the Liberty Stadium that weekend, as well as Wales facing South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on the Saturday afternoon.
Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth, said that everybody at the region believes that hosting the game in Bridgend will prove to be a successful venture.
“We are all extremely excited about taking this game on the road" he said.
"When scheduling the fixture there were clear obstacles in our way, not least the fact that the Swans are due to host Middlesborough at the Liberty Stadium that weekend. We were looking at a Thursday night fixture if we played the game at the Liberty, and last year’s experience of Thursday night games in the LV= Cup clearly showed that there wasn’t an appetite for it among our fans.
“We then had to make a decision about where in the region to play it, which venue satisfied the demands of all criteria, and Bridgend came out top. With a 9,000 capacity, excellent ground facilities and floodlighting that meets the requirement of the broadcasters, the decision was a straightforward one.
“It will prove to be a fantastic occasion, I’ve no doubt about that. I’m sure the rugby loving public of Bridgend will turn out to back the Ospreys in numbers, in particular the local boys from that area who will be pulling on the shirt. We have always enjoyed great support in the Bridgend County area, not least when we played a Regional Select XV in Maesteg two years ago. It all adds up to what should be a great evening for everyone associated with the Ospreys.”
Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, said that the experience will be a beneficial one for the Ospreys squad:
“Whatever side we put out to represent the Ospreys, it’s important that they understand where they are from and who they represent, never more so than on this occasion when they will be playing in Bridgend.
“The Bridgend district is a vital part of the Ospreys region, and it’s massively important to us that not only do the local community share that feeling, but the guys selected for that game understand what us playing the game there means to those people. I have no doubt that the experience of this game will go a long way to making those bonds stronger.”
No decision has yet been taken about the venue for the other home game in this season’s LV= Cup, which is against London Wasps on the first weekend of February.
Blyth explained:
“We will be facing the same problems for that game, as the South Wales derby between Swansea and Cardiff is on the same weekend, while Wales will also kick off their Six Nations campaign against England on the Friday night. At this stage, we are open minded about that match, and will take the chance to fully review the outcome of the Leicester game before making any decision.”
Full details about the Leicester Tigers game will be made available as soon as possible, including ticketing information and access for season-ticket holders.
ENDS