Earlier the same day, La Rochelle will host Toulon at Stade Marcel Deflandre, as the French rugby schedule skirts around the final weekend of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
The day before, Bayonne and Perpignan get the season under way in the early afternoon kick-off at Stade Jean Dauger, while in the evening, losing Top 14 finalists Bordeaux host Stade Francais, the side they beat in last season’s semi-finals at the Matmut Atlantique.
Clermont entertain Pau, Castres face Racing 92, and Montpellier take on Lyon in the other matches on the opening weekend of the new season.
Vannes’ Top 14 debut, at the 11,865-capacity Stade de la Rabine, a ground with a truly astonishing approach in which fans pass through a remarkable 18th-century facade not far from the port, is guaranteed to be a sell-out.
The club’s president, Olivier Cloarec, had to issue a public apology this week after the club’s website crashed under the virtual weight of 50,000 people trying to sign up for a season ticket for the 2024/25 campaign. Bear in mind that Vannes has a population of 54,420 people, according to the 2021 census. Nearly one in five of them attended ProD2 matches last season, as the club averaged home gates of over 10,000.
It looks a lot like the 13 Top 14 home matches will be sell-outs this season – especially if the squad gets off to a decent start.
Denne historien er fra July 21, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 21, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
