The 2004/2005 Zurich Premiership is set to get underway on September 4th in front of a record breaking premiership crowd at Twickenham.
Ticket sales to date exceed 36,000 ensuring that the London Double Header will smash the previous Zurich Premiership record crowd of 20,840 set by
London Irish (vs. Bath) on March 21st 2004.
The first game of the new season sees London Irish taking on NEC Harlequins at 2pm with Saracens facing Champions London Wasps at 4.15pm. It will be the first regular season Premiership matches to be played at Twickenham and the first time Premiership matches have been played back to
back at the same venue.
Arrangements have now been completed for an extensive array of entertainment outside the stadium too – there will be a party in the West Car Park for supporters with live music before and after the matches.
At 12:00pm popular rugby band ‘The Melody Fakers’ will be on stage having previously played at Quins and Saracens matchdays; after the second game at 5:45pm fans can enjoy ‘ the Craic at Twickenham’ with Irish band ‘Le Cheile’ entertaining the crowd. Other activities around the main stage include player signings, giveaways, club merchandise outlets and even a fourway mascot dance off at 12:30pm!
Fans get to watch both matches with their ticket and with ticket prices for kids at just £5 it is expected that there will be a real family atmosphere at Twickenham.
Prior to the main matches the London clubs have organized a full morning of rugby coaching and mini rugby for junior clubs across the A316 at the Stoop.
Over 1,000 kids from 50 London clubs at Under 7s through to Under 16s will participate in the London Double Header Festival before heading over to Twickenham for the afternoon to watch the professionals in action.
With nine members of England’s victorious Rugby World Cup squad expected to play (Mike Catt [London Irish], Will Greenwood [NEC Harlequins], Kyran Bracken, Richard Hill [Saracens] Lawrence Dallaglio, Josh Lewsey, Simon
Shaw, Joe Worsley, Matt Dawson [London Wasps]) and in action on the day it is a great opportunity to watch world class rugby at the home of England rugby at club rugby prices.
An array of international talent could be making their debuts for their new clubs at Twickenham (Catt, Scott Staniforth, Robbie Russell [London Irish], Dafydd James, Jeremy Staunton [NEC Harlequins], Alex Sanderson,
Kevin Yates, Hugh Vyvyan, Dan Scarbrough [Saracens], Dawson [London Wasps]).
‘We are very excited about starting our Zurich Premiership campaign against London Irish in front of a huge crowd at Twickenham,’ said Quins Chief Executive Mark Evans.
‘For many of our players it is the first time they will have played for Quins at the home of English rugby and I know they are really looking forward to it. I am sure the day will be a great success, with both games set to be extremely close and competitive matches. With so many great
players on show, supporters of all four clubs are in line for a fantastic and entertaining day.’
Conor O’Shea Managing Director of London Irish said: ‘It is important to start the season in style and what better place to do so than at Twickenham. Our players are looking forward to the day and to playing NEC Harlequins at
the home of England rugby. We hope that we will have lots of vocal London Irish support on the 4th September’
‘Early ticket sales for the London Double Header have far exceeded our expectations and it is now conceivable that there may be as many as 50,000 people at Twickenham on September 4th, it should be a great event and really shows the growing popularity of Premiership Rugby’ Simon Hoskins,
Marketing Manager, Premier Rugby.
For more information please contact Sally Price, Communications Manager, Premier Rugby on 020 8831 6727.