Principality Stadium manager Mark Williams has called on Wales fans to watch Ireland’s NatWest 6 Nations Grand Slam bid live on Stadium big screens this Saturday.
Wales take on France in the Welsh capital in the final round of the Championship and in the final game of the day, which kicks-off at 5.00pm, and could finish second in the tournament.
But England’s attempt to de-rail Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes and dislodge Wales from second spot in the table is the preceding game, kicking-off at 2.45pm and expecting to finish at around 4.30pm (leaving only half-an-hour before Wales kick-off in Cardiff).
The Twickenham showdown will be played out in its entirety on Principality Stadium big screens and on TVs around its concourses, meaning that both Welsh and French squads will be on the pitch warming-up – from around 4.00pm – with the second half of the game in England forming a potentially nail-biting backdrop.
The first match of three in the day starts at 12.30pm when Scotland travel to Italy and kick-start a feast of rugby.
Principality Stadium Gates open at 2.00pm, giving supporters plenty of time to get to their seats and settle in for match two and watch the ‘auld enemy’ battle the Irish in Twickenham on Cardiff big screens.
But Williams warns that ticket holders planning to arrive at the Stadium after the second game of the day finishes could face sizeable queues and may not get to their seats in time for kick-off for game three, Wales’ finale against France.
“Don’t risk missing part of the game you have really come to see,” said Williams.
“Our advice to fans is please don’t think you can watch the England/Ireland game in its entirety elsewhere and then get to your seat in the Stadium to see Wales take on France.
“Everyone knows we have enhanced security measures in place and it’s not a huge mental leap to work out that if 74,500 fans try to enter Principality Stadium on the final whistle of the England game – which will be 4.15pm at the very earliest – then a lot of people are going to miss kick-off.
“That’s the last thing we want, but we will not compromise on security and the 100-per-cent search policy will remain in place.
“We are showing the England/Ireland game in its entirety and there will be another incredible atmosphere in the stadium if everyone heeds advice to make their entry early and watch the game with us.
“If people watch the whole game elsewhere, before going to the stadium, we will not get everyone in in time.
“Our Gates open at 2.00pm, If you’ve got a ticket to watch Wales, come in early and show your support for Wales and we will make sure you don’t miss any of the day’s action.”
SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY’S RUGBY
(APPROXIMATE TIMES)
1215 hrs Italy v Scotland kicks-off at Stadio Olimpico
1300 hrs Road Closure around Cardiff city centre
1350 hrs Earliest Italy v Scotland will finish
1400 hrs PRINCIPALITY STADIUM GATES OPEN
1445 hrs England v Ireland kicks-off, ON STADIUM BIG SCREENS and concourse TVs
1525 hrs Likely half-time break for England v Ireland
1530 – 1550 hrs Wales and France Team Coaches arrive
1540 hrs Likely second-half kicks-off for England v Ireland ON STADIUM BIG SCREENS and concourse TVs
1600 hrs Coin Toss
1605 hrs Teams may enter the Field to warm-up
1620 hrs Likely final whistle for England v Ireland
1645 hrs Players leave the field following warm up
1653 hrs Both teams leave dressing rooms
1654 hrs Teams enter stadium together
1658 hrs 2 min Countdown to kick off
1700 hrs KICK OFF
1740 hrs HALF TIME – 15 minutes
1755 hrs SECOND HALF
1835 hrs END OF MATCH approx.
