Irish firm banking on success of Sarries’ artificial pitch test

An Irish company is leading a rugby revolution that could see a number of high-profile stadia install artificial pitches within the next five years.

Support in Sport (SIS) have laid surfaces at Old Trafford, the Nou Camp, the Bernabeu and they have now installed rugby’s first artificial pitch at Saracens’ new Allianz Park arena.

The stadium will officially open when Saracens host Cardiff Blues on Sunday and the North London club are hoping to stage their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster at their new home in April.