Italy relocates venue for home fixture of Six Nations 2012 - Rugby Union
In an announcement on July 13 by the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), it has been revealed that the Italian venue for the home games of the Six Nations 2012 has been moved to the Olympic Stadium instead of the 32,000-seat Flaminio Stadium, on account of renovations
to increase capacity.
Flaminio has had been the home stadium for the last 11 years of the Rugby Tournament, with Italy’s epic win of 22-21 against France in a head to head encounter during the 2011 Six Nations. On the contrary, the Olympic Stadium has the honour of hosting the
1990 World Cup, European Cup Finals four times and one Olympic game.
The Olympic Stadium is also used by soccer teams, namely Lazio and AS Roma.
Before confirming the Olympic Stadium in Rome, word had been out that the option of moving the venue of the Six Nations 2012 to Florence was under consideration for a while, as Flaminio, which is located three kilometres northwest of the city centre, was
heading to shut down so that capacity could be raised to 10,000.
Italian Rugby Federation President, Giancarlo Dondi, while talking about the venue decision stated, "Let us hope that in the coming years we will have a Flaminio Stadium that meets fully all the requirements of the tournament."
He further added, “After eleven years we see you at the Stadio Flaminio, a plant that gave us unforgettable moments starting with the onset against Scotland on February 5, 2000, to bring the oldest and most prestigious tournament of international rugby on
the biggest stage of Italian sports.”
While thanking Gianni Petrucci and Gianni Alemanno, the President of CONI and the Mayor of Rome respectively, for their support for the shift in venue, Dondi stated “I’m sure that, together, we will organise two extraordinary sporting events in a setting
height of the great European cathedrals of rugby. The choice can only be dell’OIimpico for Italian rugby an exciting challenge for 2012.”
The RBS Six Nations 2012 is an International rugby union competition played annually amongst six European countries including; Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, Wales and France which will kick off from February 14, 2012, in Paris’ Stade de France, where
France will greet Italy.
Italy will host two of a total fifteen games of Six Nations in 2012.Italy will be hosting England and Scotland on Feburary11 and March 17 respectively, in Stadio Olimpico, which can accommodate live audience of 72,000.Tickets are already open for sale from
Wednesday, July 13.
Italian’s popularity in the world of rugby has geared up since their win against France in Six Nations 2011, which created history. Their commendable performance against New Zealand in 2009 has also amassed fans and supporters from around the globe for a
full-house in the Olympic Stadium.
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