Over 35,000 watched Wales’ bonus point 43-14 win over The Lelos in the City of Toyota Stadium – a victory which sees head coach Warren Gatland’s side sitting pretty at the top of Pool D after the first round of RWC19 matches – and that success has led directly to a spike in ticket sales in Cardiff.
Wales take on the Barbarians at Principality Stadium in a double-header, alongside Wales Women, on Saturday 30 November and over half of the 73,931 capacity venue has now been booked up by the most ardent fans in the world game.
Estimates are that 15,000 of the crowd in Toyota City had made the trip from Wales to back the men in red, a show of passion and dedication which explains why demand for their next home fixture in Cardiff is already flying so high.
Gatland leaves the helm after 12 years in charge of Wales after the World Cup, but he returns in charge of the BaaBaas in the autumn to take on a side set to be fashioned in the image of his successor, former Scarlets supremo Wayne Pivac, who has already been appointed to take over.
The game only went on sale at the start of the month (September), but it has already captured the imagination of the rugby watching public after the likes of Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira and Mathieu Bastareaud signed up for the BaaBaas and Welsh refereeing royalty Nigel Owens confirmed he would officiate.
With tickets starting at £10 per head and the mirror fixture from the Women’s game meaning two matches are available for the price of one, fans will be able to relive RWC glories, say ‘goodbye’ to Wales longest serving and most successful coach and get a taste of what the future holds for Welsh rugby on a day of huge nostalgia and celebration.
“Demand for tickets for the Barbarians double-header had already been impressive but, now the tournament is underway in Japan, World Cup fever is really taking hold,” said a WRU spokesperson.
“Wales winning in the manner they did against Georgia has had a direct and positive affect on ticket sales and, of course, a good Cup run will see excitement reach fever pitch back at home very quickly.
“We know Warren’s return will be warmly received in any case, not least after notching up three Six Nations Grand Slams during his tenure, and the game will be a final homecoming for him, but there will also be one eye on the future for everyone involved.
“Whatever happens in Japan, supporters have shown that their appetite for international rugby in Cardiff, both Women’s and Men’s, is huge.”
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets are available from your local rugby club, at www.wru.wales/tickets, via WRU Ticket line: 0844 847 1881 (calls to this number cost 7p per minute plus your company’s access charge) or to person callers at the ticket office on Westgate Street, Cardiff.
Saturday 30th November
WALES WOMEN v BARBARIANS Kick-off 11:45am
WALES v BARBARIANS Kick-off 2:45pm
TICKET PRICES, Adults: £10, £20, £30 *AFZ, £40, £50 (over 40,000, more than half capacity, concessionary tickets are also available to U16s at £10)
*=includes Alcohol Free Zone
