ALL RUGBY WATCHING AS QUINS WELCOME 3,500 FANS

CASH-STRAPPED English rugby will say a collective prayer that the return of paying fans goes off without a hitch today.

Premiership clubs inactive since March are haemorrhaging money and desperate for the Harlequins-Bath ‘pilot’ game to be a forerunner to them all being permitted to re-open their turnstiles.

“We see this as being a supremely critical step to getting our sport back on its feet,” said Quins chief executive

Laurie Dalrymple. “A massive stepping stone to where we can potentially go, hopefully in a short space of time.” ”

Up to 3,500 are being allowed into Twickenham Stoop for what Dalrymple admits will be a spectator experience “far removed” from what they are used to.

Tickets costing up to £50 were available through a ballot to season-ticket-holders who are pre-designated a seat and a specific arrival time. Health screening, including temper temperature spot-checks, will be carried out and fo food and drinks will b be delivered to fans in their seats through an app. Dalrymple has written to every local resident to try to allay fears.

The game will be stewarded as though there is a capacity 15,000 crowd and added parking is being laid on to accommodate every fan if needed. Quins team boss Paul Gustard (left) said: “Like every club, we have asked for fans’ support over the last six months and a lot of that support has been financial.

“People are still investing, buying season tickets for next season and keeping money in the club for games they could have lost, or have lost.

“It is a privilege to play in front of this 3,500 and be the first club to do that.”