Premiership rugby bosses hatch plan to take showpiece final away from Twickenham

25 May 2023 , 08:17

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Tom and Ben Youngs hold Premiership trophy aloft at Twickenham after Leicester Tigers won last year's final (Image: Getty Images)

Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership Final could be the last but one to be played at Twickenham.

League bosses are understood to be ready to follow the example set by the Champions Cup and take their showpiece occasion to less traditional rugby venues as they seek to revitalise the club game.

Newcastle’s St James’ Park, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and the new Tottenham Stadium - already booked for next year’s European final - are among the venues thought to be under consideration.

European club rugby has brought freshness to its competition by playing recent finals in Bilbao, Lyon, Newcastle and Marseille.

Saracens and Sale meet at the home of English rugby this weekend but the game is unlikely to be close to a sell-out.

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Part of the reason is that so many more matches are played at Headquarters these days, taking away the rarity factor for neutral fans.

Saracens celebrate their fifth and most recent Premiership title at Twickenham in 2019 (above) and (below) with European Champions Cup they won that same season at Newcastle's St James' Park (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Twickenham will remain an option when the new Professional Game Agreement comes into effect at the end of next season - but it will no longer have a monopoly on English club rugby’s big day.

Another change under discussion is neutral venues for semi-finals, not least because away wins have become as rare as hen’s teeth.

Sale go into Saturday’s clash as underdogs but Sharks great Mark Cueto believes his former club’s forwards hold the key to glory.

Leinster were crowned 2018 European champions in Bilbao (above) while (below) La Rochelle won the 2022 final in Marseille (PA)

(Getty Images)

“Rugby doesn’t change,” said the former England wing, who helped Sale win their only title in 2006. “You have got to keep on top of the opposition, and you have got to get on top up-front first.

“I think we are probably one of the only packs that can at least go head-to-head with the Saracens pack, if not get on top, and if we do that then we have got a really good chance.”

Alex Spink