Welford Road set to host Red Roses fixture

LEICESTER Tigers will host a Women’s Six Nations match in April next year, writes Bobby Bridge.

Mattioli Woods Welford Road has been selected as a host venue for England’s clash with Ireland on Sunday, April 24 – the weekend when Leicester Tigers are away at Harlequins in round 23 of the Gallagher Premiership.

It is the second time this year that the stadium has been selected to host an England international, following the scheduled match between England A and Scotland A in the summer that was cancelled due to Covid-19 reasons.

Leicester Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen, right, said: “We are delighted to be able to host the Red Roses at our iconic home at Mattioli Woods Welford Road later this season.

“Tigers have a very passionate and substantial supporter base and we know they will give the England team a big welcome.

“The club has a programme to promote women’s and girls’ rugby throughout our region and hosting this international fixture allows us to provide a showcase of the elite game for our community.”

England open the

Six Nations Championship on March 26 with a trip to Scotland and also face Italy away before home games against

Wales and

Ireland, then the final-round game away to France.

All 15 tournament matches will be broadcast on the BBC. England head coach Simon Middleton, who has been named World Rugby Coach of the Year, said: “The history of Leicester Tigers as a club says everything about English rugby union for me.

“I’m delighted we have a fixture at Welford Road. “The crowd have consistently turned up in massive numbers to support Leicester. “They are a hugely knowledgeable and appreciative crowd. It’ll be a great venue to go to. It’s a real bastion of rugby. It’ll also be the largest home ground we’ve played at outside of Twickenham and it would be amazing to get a big crowd.

“In a more general sense, Six Nations have recognised the benefit of a stand-alone Women’s Six Nations.

“Getting the tournament on last year was massive and they deserve to be applauded. It worked really well.

“As a traditionalist, I do love the fact we’ve returned to the regular format and the schedule of games this year means we should hopefully see competitive games from start to finish.”

Prices start at £15 adult/£13 concession/£8 under-18 with tickets available from the Tigers ticket office.