Under 20s in Brighton

Under 20s brought Rugby to the Brighton Community Stadium for the first time.

The Brighton Community Stadium transformed in style into a Rugby venue to be proud of for the England Under 20 v France Under 20 Six Nations finale last month on 20 March. 

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

England Under 20 produced a scintillating second half performance to beat the French team 24-11, winning the Six Nations title in the process. 

The evening also saw a very happy crowd of Rugby fans who witnessed the first Rugby match to take place on the Brighton Community Stadium’s pitch.

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

The U20s game was a success in terms of ticket sales too. A total of 12,615 people filled the seats to watch the match. This is the highest amount of tickets ever sold for an England U20s Six Nations match.

One of our bloggers and member of The Pack, Bill Hadgkiss was in the crowd. Bill said: “England Under 20 clinched the Six Nation's crown with a superb second half performance to beat France. This was my first visit to the Amex. The stadium is superb with excellent facilities for the spectators and proved to be a great venue for the match. The pitch was in perfect condition and the two large screens at both ends relayed the match live together with action replays." 

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

Bill added: "Full credit also to the marshalls managing spectators’ safe exit from the ground and access to Falmer station. All this together with a great atmosphere bodes well for Brighton to host the two Rugby World Cup 2015 matches in September.”

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

The England 2015 organisers were also able to use the match as part of their testing programme and were delighted with the delivery of the stadium’s first ever rugby match ahead of the Tournament coming to the city in September. Find out more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-C4javbqh0  

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

World class Rugby coming to Brighton & Hove this spring

The first ever Rugby match to be played at the Brighton Community Stadium will be on Friday 20 March 2015. The England U20s take on France U20s in the final in the Under 20s Six Nations ahead of the Seniors match the next day at Twickenham.

Tickets are selling fast as people are eager to be part of this sporting first. Offering an exciting start to the weekend, the match is attracting families and first time Rugby goers as well as long time fans of the sport. The match kicks off time of 7.55pm gives plenty of time to get to the stadium after school or work.

England Rugby 2015 will be using the occasion as an opportunity to test elements of match day delivery and see the football stadium in action as a Rugby venue ahead of RWC 2015 matches taking place in Brighton & Hove later in the year. The U20s will be the first Rugby players to hit the Brighton pitch before two RWC 2015 games taking place on the first weekend of the Tournament on September 19 and 20.

James Chisholm is a key player in the U20s England squad, appearing at No. 8. James is from Haywards Heath and was a pupil at Brighton College. He visited the Brighton Community Stadium on 18 February to have a look around.

James Chisholm (Photo credit Paul Hazlewood)

James said: “I think it’s awesome we are going to come here, it’s a great venue. We want to win and will be giving it our all as always. It’s always a good game when we play France. Hopefully this match will draw people in. If you haven’t seen a live Rugby match before then this would be the one to start with. It’s a friendly atmosphere for spectators and a chance to see top sport at a very easy to get to stadium. I am looking forward to being back in Brighton playing for England on 20 March.” 

James currently plays alongside his brother Ross at Harlequins as well as being part of the England U20s. He previously captained England’s U18s to victory in the FIRA European Tournament and was part of the winning U20s England team in the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship.

Tickets are currently still available for the U20s match and can be bought from the Albion Booking line on 0844 3271901. Adult tickets cost £15 and children aged under 18 are £5. There are discounts for students, families and people aged over 65 years.