The Irish Rugby Football Union has declared its support for the government backed Sports Campus Ireland project, and has admitted Lansdowne Road's future as an international venue will end when they become co-tenants of the new stadium.
In a statement released on Sunday, rugby's governing body conceded the Ballsbridge venue no longer has the capacity or the standard of accommodation to meet the needs of international rugby. Despite the years of amazing memories the ground holds, the IRFU realise a move away from D4 is necessary for the sport, but following ten years of research they feel the risk of funding their own plans would be too great.
As a result they have pledged their full support for the controversial stadium, whose costs are spiralling well beyond original estimations. The statement read: "Over the last ten years the IRFU purchased land for a stadium and carefully researched how a stadium to meet our requirements might be financed. It was clear to all that the risk of undertaking such a development was to seriously jeopardise our main function, which is to promote and develop the game of rugby. The best way forward is stadium rental, which leaves the finance and focus of the IRFU for expanding and developing the game. For this reason the IRFU supports the vision of Stadium Ireland and has committed to play all major internationals in the new facility."
With new super-stadia such as the Stade de France and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium setting the standards throughout sport, the decision to come on board "Bertie's Bowl" will allow the association to continue its development of the game in all 32 counties. The statement continued: "Stadium Ireland provides bodies like the IRFU with the financial engine to fund its sport in contrast to the risk of developing and financing a major facility, which could leave the sport in financial turmoil. The provision of high performance facilities, sports medicine and sports science facilities in Sports Campus Ireland is a significant and genuine investment in Irish sporting excellence. We have a great opportunity to put in place an infrastructure for sporting excellence and world-class facilities for both participants and spectators alike. We should grasp the opportunity."
Filed by Shane Murray
