Verdict: Where should potential England-Tonga test series be held?
With the Rugby Football League believed to be in advanced talks with Tonga for an end of year test series, we take a look at six potential stadiums that could host the three international fixtures.
England boss Shaun Wane held his first press conference of the year last week in Warrington ahead of the mid-season double header international against France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The 58-year-old head coach confirmed his side are “more than likely” to face Kristian Woolf’s Tonga on home soil in 2023, while his England outfit are set to take to the stage on April 29 alongside England Women against France Women.
The Rugby Football League are yet to confirm opponents for an end of year series, but Wane previously said: “As far as I’m aware it is not set in stone done yet, but it more than likely will be happening at the end of the season and I’m looking forward to it.”
So, here’s a look at six potential stadiums that could host the three potential fixtures…
St James’ Park – Newcastle
Newcastle’s St James’ Park hosted last year’s World Cup opener between England and Samoa, with a respectable 43,119 in attendance.
The venue will once again host this year’s Magic Weekend, and could be a potential for a fixture between England and Tonga.
2021 World Cup CEO Jon Dutton hailed the impact the tournament fixture had in the north east, highlighting the amount of local tickets sold ahead of England’s opener. Dutton stated that one in every two tickets sold in the two weeks prior to kick-off were from an NE postcode.
Could we see the same success if a series fixture was held at Newcastle United’s home?
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Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Tottenham
One of, if not the, best stadiums in the country, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosted last year’s Challenge Cup final between Wigan and Huddersfield, and undoubtedly many fans wouldn’t have any qualms about the sport returning here.
In terms of selling the sport on the TV screens, this stadium would tick all the boxes. The venue was of course set to host one of the three matches between England and Australia in the planned 2020 Ashes Series before cancellation.
Although, NFL’s International Series has already been confirmed for Tottenham later this year and could likely clash with rugby league’s schedule.
University of Bolton Stadium – Bolton
The University of Bolton Stadium was another World Cup host during the group stages, with England’s Group A fixture France.
Wane’s side went on to claim a 42-18 victory in front of a record crowd of 23,648 – the highest ever between the two sides in England.
With a capacity of just more than 28,000, it’s another strong potential for an England-Tonga fixture.
Totally Wicked Stadium – St Helens
Tonga played two of their three group stage fixtures at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium – with a party atmosphere created by the Tongan community both inside and outside the ground.
It would make sense to build on the success created from last year’s World Cup in the town, with 7,752 watching on against Wales and 10,409 in the star-studded clash with Papua New Guinea.
🇹🇴 Tonga are bringing the party! #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/hx91uArIHf
— Love Rugby League (@loverugbyleague) October 18, 2022
Headingley Stadium – Leeds
A no-brainer would be Leeds’ Headingley Stadium, a venue that is long overdue an England men’s international fixture, having last hosted a game in 2011 against Exiles. 14,174 supporters attended the game that day.
The stadium was used during the recent World Cup on home soil for the women’s tournament, and would be a more than ideal location for one of the three clashes against Tonga for Wane’s side.
Bramall Lane – Sheffield
Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane is another eye-catching potential, having been one of the 21 venues to host a World Cup fixture last year.
England defeated Greece in front of a crowd of 18,760 in Sheffield, while the city also hosted fixtures in the Wheelchair World Cup.
Another attractive stadium on the list, the only issue would be the clash with the football schedule – although there is an international break scheduled from October 9-17.
It could mean only one football stadium could be a possibility, if of course an end of year test series is ever confirmed.
Where would you like to see the potential series be held? Let us know in the comments below.
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