WALES GET ‘MAGNIFICENT SEVEN’ HOME GAMES FOR ANNIVERSARY SEASON

This season saw record crowd numbers attend the Welsh matches against South Africa, Romania, New Zealand and Japan in the autumn and then England and Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations. With a first Grand Slam in 27 years already in the bag, and 10 players already selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand this summer, interest in the national game, and the national team, has never been higher. Nearly 400,000 fans flocked to the six internationals this season and, by confirming the Fiji game for the Millennium Stadium, that figure could rise to more than half a million in the Union’s 125th anniversary campaign.

“The three home games in the 2006 RBS 6 Nations were always scheduled to be played at the Millennium Stadium, and the games against the three Tri-Nations teams, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, have to be played there as well,” said Millennium Stadium general manager Paul Sergeant. “That left us with a decision to make on where to face Fiji. Four games on successive weekends at the Millennium Stadium is a tall order for the venue and that is why we considered taking the game to either Swansea or Wrexham.

“There is little doubt that the new facility at Swansea will be a wonderful stadium that the Ospreys can be proud of. There won’t be a bad seat in the house and everyone there should look forward to starting the new season at such a fantastic, purpose built venue. I’m sure they won’t mind me saying that if you haven’t bought your season ticket yet, do it now. Everyone is going to enjoy the whole experience.

“Wrexham has served the Welsh rugby team superbly well over many years and the warm reception offered to Welsh rugby as a whole is in keeping with the tremendous enthusiasm the people of North Wales have for our national game.
The Racecourse is in a great location with easy access by car and rail and, although slightly smaller in capacity than Swansea, it is still is a venue that affords an excellent atmosphere for the spectator.

“However, the decision has been made to play the Wales v Fiji match at The Millennium Stadium on Friday, 11 November with a kick-off time to be confirmed. The decision was not an easy one to reach as each option had its strong points. The decision to stay in Cardiff was based on the Stadium’s sheer size.

“The games against Romania and Japan last November attracted attendances of 35,000 and 56,000 respectively, with the Friday night kick-offs proving to be extremely popular. Our four previous games against Fiji have all attracted gates in excess of 35,000 – 50,000 in 1964, 40,000 in 1985 and 1995 and 35,250 in 2002.

“With tickets remaining at £10 per adult and £5 per child for the game it is easy to imagine a big attendance for this fixture, especially as the demand for tickets for the games against the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies is likely to be very high.”

In keeping with the Welsh Rugby Union’s constitution, tickets for all four of Wales’ autumn series games will be offered to the Union’s clubs and debenture holders over the next few weeks. Any remaining tickets will be put on public sale in September. Hospitality is available for these matches, contact 029 2082 2410 for more details.

WALES HOME FIXTURES FOR THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
All Matches to be played at the Millennium Stadium

2005 Autumn Series (kick-off to be confirmed)

Saturday, 5 November: Wales v New Zealand
(100th anniversary fixture of first game between two countries in 1905)

Friday, 11 November: Wales v Fiji

Saturday, 19 November: Wales v South Africa

Saturday, 26 November: Wales v Australia

2006 RBS Six Nations Championship

Sunday, 12 February: Wales v Scotland (3.00pm)

Saturday, 11 March: Wales v Italy (1.30pm)

Saturday, 18 March: Wales v France (3.30pm)