03 February 2009
Old Trafford to host England against Argentina rugby Test
England will play Argentina at Old Trafford in the first Test of
this summer’s two-game series.
The 76,000 all-seater home of Premier League champions
Manchester United will host England and the Pumas on Saturday, June
6 (4pm kick-off) with the second Test in Argentina on Saturday,
June 13 (venue to be confirmed).
In partnership with Manchester City Council and the NWDA, the
Rugby Football Union are taking an England international to
Manchester for the first time since 1997.
RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron said: "We received a request
from the Argentinean Rugby Union to play one of the tests in
England to generate funds to invest in their squads.
“We are delighted to have been able to help them by securing Old
Trafford, one of the most famous football stadiums in the world,
and our thanks go to Manchester City Council, the NWDA and Old
Trafford itself.
“Rugby Union is thriving in the North West and this is a great
opportunity for us to play a match away from Twickenham and aid the
development of the game in the region. Tickets will be
competitively priced and we are looking forward to a great
occasion.”
Ricardo García Fernández, Chairman of the Professional Rugby
Board of the Union Argentina de Rugby, said: “We are really happy
with the agreement with the Rugby Football Union to play the first
Test match in Manchester. Those extra funds we will get for playing
there allow us to continue investing in our local development
programmes.
“Regarding the second Test to be played on June 13 in Argentina,
we will know the venue at the end of February after having
concluded the diligences with those local unions that have applied
for hosting this Test match.”
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and
Leisure at Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester is proud to
be hosting an England international, the first to have been staged
outside of the capital for over a decade. This yet again reinforces
our position as a world-class destination for sport.
“Manchester City Council has worked hard to help secure this
event which underlines our commitment to bringing major sports
events to the City. We hope this is just the start and we will
continue to bring international rugby matches to Manchester in the
future.
“This opportunity has allowed us to strengthen our links with
the RFU, with whom we're already working with, to develop the sport
across the City. This event will help us to support local schools,
clubs and communities to get involved in rugby activities whilst
enjoying world class rugby on our doorstep."
Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
at the NWDA, added: “Securing this match between two world class
teams is a fantastic coup for Manchester. Sport makes a huge
contribution to our regional economy and we expect tens of
thousands of fans to head to Manchester in June. We are
pleased to have been involved in bringing such a high-profile event
to the region.”
Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill said: “We are
delighted that Old Trafford has been chosen to host this
international fixture. It underlines the stadium as one of
the premier venues in world sport and we look forward to welcoming
both teams to the Theatre of Dreams.”
Ticketing details will be available in due course.
Ends
For more information please contact:
Dave Barton, RFU Press Office, 07736 517610, davebarton@rfu.com
Rafael Laría, Unión Argentina de Rugby Press Office, +54 11 4515
3524, rafalaria@uar.com.ar
Roz Hughes, Manchester City Council Press Office, 0161 234 3337,
roz.hughes@manchester.gov.uk
Sam Shale, NWDA, 01925 400264, Sam.Shale@nwda.co.uk
Phil Townsend, Manchester United Press Office, 0161 868 8148
philip.townsend@manutd.co.uk
Note to desks
• England played at Old Trafford in November 1997 when they
lost 25-8.
• England last played a game away from Twickenham in
England in November 1998 when they beat Holland 110-0 and Italy
23-15 respectively at the then McAlpine Stadium in
Huddersfield.