The Premiership will trial away sections for supporters in two forthcoming matches in April, in an effort to improve atmospheres in top‑flight fixtures.
It is understood that for Saracens’ fixture against Gloucester on 19 April and Leicester’s match against Harlequins on 26 April, specific areas for visiting supporters to congregate in will be created.
Traditionally, rugby crowds have been unsegregated with many supporters holding the view that being able to mix with opposing fans is one of the sport’s appeals. But there is a school of thought that separate areas of concentrated visiting fans would lead to greater noise.
Premiership Rugby announced in October that it was considering a trial and it is understood a number of clubs have expressed an interest. Organisers are keen to stress that visiting supporters can still watch elsewhere in the stadiums and mix with home fans if they wish.
The Premiership has a target of 82% attendances across the season and this campaign is operating at an average of 81%, which represents an increase on recent years. It would be on track if Leicester, traditionally the best supported club in England, were not experiencing a worrying drop‑off. League officials, however, believe that away sections could help to meet targets.
“Away fans can and will sit amongst the main crowd, this is just giving people a choice,” a source said.
“This is not meant to be adversarial. It’ll be done in the right spirit. It’ll be enough fans to make a noise. The players say they feed off it, and it gets more out of the home fans as it creates a back and forth.”
The concept is a polarising one but is something Harlequins fans have been doing unofficially for years, most notably at Ashton Gate for their 43-36 Premiership semi-final victory against Bristol.
The club’s flanker Will Evans has been a vocal supporter of the idea, saying: “Rugby stadiums need a designated away fan area that stays the same year on year. We can’t continue to hold the game back any longer. It’s bordering on arrogance that we think we’re the only sport where people can sit together and not be violent.
“Players want this. You’ll see a better product because of it. By all means, sit in the home end and chat to the locals, no problem. But it adds very little for the atmosphere inside the stadium.”
The Premiership returns this weekend after an eight-week break with organisers hoping to capitalise on the exposure the Six Nations brings to the sport. England’s crushing victory against Wales gives room for optimism in that regard for the Premiership’s second derby weekend of the season. Organisers are optimistic of an uptick in interest on a weekend of international football but with England players requiring mandated rest in the coming weeks, some clubs may choose to leave out high-profile stars for their fixtures.
