National stadium a necessity not a luxury, insist IRFU

THE Irish Rugby Football Union has turned the heat back on the Government after Lansdowne Road was yesterday named as host to the 2003 Heineken European Cup final.

The IRFU used the announcement from European Rugby Cup Ltd to hammer home its view a national stadium was a necessity and not a luxury.

Union chief Philip Browne said the decision was: "A marvellous acknowledgement of Dublin as a fitting venue for the staging of major representative rugby fixtures. Based on 30,000 people travelling to Dublin, the event will generate something between 40m and 50m to the economy."

He added: "It is another marvellous fillip to Irish rugby that Lansdowne Road has again been nominated to host the Heineken Cup final. It is a wonderful endorsement of Dublin as a capable and popular rugby destination.

"This latest recognition for Irish rugby further underlines the IRFU's determination to have at its disposal an even larger capacity stadium with full modern facilities and infrastructure. We believe a stadium with a capacity of circa 60,000 is compatible with public interest and demands.

"While awaiting an update from the Government on the prospect of the national stadium, the IRFU is currently considering its own stadium options including Lansdowne Road. Any project of this nature would require Government funding," said Mr Browne.

The IRFU underlined the argument that there was a healthy dividend to be gained from having the facilities to stage major rugby and other international sports events in Dublin.

This is also illustrated in an economic impact assessment conducted by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce relating to the Heineken Cup final being played at Lansdowne Road in 2003.

That critical contribution would, says the IRFU, be much greater if measured against the facility of a rugby stadium with a 60,000 capacity.

The IRFU stressed revenue from international fixtures is the financial engine behind game development. Increased participation of rugby and the provision of the best facilities will provide the financial streams to fund the grassroots development of the game in Ireland.

Lansdowne Road was also host to the final in 1999 when a capacity attendance of 49,500 watched Ulster defeat Colomiers in a memorable match.

Meanwhile, former Irish international captain Michael Bradley has been appointed as coach to the Irish U21 team for the current season in succession to Ciaran Fitzgerald.

Team manager will be David Haslett and Mark McDermott is named as assistant coach for the season.