By Charlie Elliott
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Saracens v Gloucester at the StoneX Stadium saw a new dawn in English rugby, the introduction of away ends.
A trial aimed at improving atmospheres in stadiums has led to the decision that a designated section specifically for fans of the visiting side to sit in would be a good idea.
The first of a few games in the Premiership that will trial it was Saracens v Gloucester, which took place on Easter Weekend.
Visiting Cherry and Whites fans didn’t have much to sing about by the end, with Sarries emerging as comfortable winners in a 36-14 scoreline.
With some visiting fans coming up with chants usually seen at the football, it has split opinion as to whether it is good for the sport.
Here, Charlie Elliott goes through the pros and cons of away ends.
Pros
To start off with a positive note, the experiment did improve the noise within the StoneX, as the visiting fans were in fine voice and were much more noticeably heard compared to if they were scattered around the ground.
For that reason alone, some might consider it to be a success as that is the primary intention of the introduction of them.
A double-denim clad group of teenagers on tour were the majority of the noise makers in Gloucester’s section, with some chants that aren’t usually heard at the rugby and are more reserved for football.
Some obscenities were chanted, yes, but the overall consensus was that the stadium was louder with the fans together than without (despite the best efforts of the PA system).
It is also worth noting that the away end wasn’t the only area of the stadium where away fans were allowed; it was an optional area for those who wanted to.
Groups of friends from opposing teams could still sit together, and there wasn’t any kind of malice in the home end.
Noisy Neighbours
This new idea provides an opportunity for those who want to make a bit of noise on their travels to be next to like-minded individuals from the same club.
Some fans don’t want the sport to turn into football and instead would rather it stay as it is and have mixed sections throughout the stadium, with fans able to mingle.
Many have also considered some of the obscenities chanted by Gloucester fans as being inappropriate and making the stadium experience unfriendly to families, one of the big appeals of rugby.
Being able to have a pint and a bit of banter with someone from the opposing side makes the sport what it is, some would say.
If such bad language is heard between two teams who aren’t rivals, then what could the outcome be in a big derby game?
This argument has been refuted by some who say that swearing is part and parcel of the game and happens anyway, just from individuals instead of a group.
See the Shed at Kingsholm as a prime example, there is nothing inherently wrong with a bit of back and forth if it is in good nature.
Leicester Tigers v Harlequins will be a better indicator of potential improvements to crowd noise, with Welford Road typically boasting a better atmosphere than the StoneX and therefore a greater need for an away presence.
Getting with the times
In my opinion, if rugby wants to get with the times and adapt, then it needs to make changes and try and encourage people to want to go to a stadium.
This new away end idea does exactly that, it improves atmospheres and makes people actually want to go to the rugby.
It also allows people who want to show their passion in a more direct way, such as through singing and chanting, the opportunity to do so with like-minded individuals.
Change is not always well received in the rugby community and that can sometimes be to the detriment of the sport.
Getting stadiums singing and bouncing can only be a good thing, and if people still want to mingle with the opposition, then nothing is stopping them.
As long as everything stays in good nature and doesn’t quite reach the level of hatred seen in football, I don’t see an issue with changing things around a bit.
Rugby has the unique opportunity to learn from football, while staying true to its own values.
