Top 3 RWC venues

There can be no doubting that this years Rugby World Cup has been one of the best supported and best run World Cups on record. Much of this is down to the selection of a number of non-traditional stadiums which brought the game to places and fans who otherwise may not have experienced rugby on its finest stage. Here we rank what we felt were the top three venues at this years competition.

1. The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

An obvious choice perhaps, but there really is no better venue in the world to witness the game of rugby. The idea of keeping the roof closed for the duration of the tournament proved to be a masterstroke, as the atmosphere become trapped inside the stadium to amplify the already deafening sound. On match day there was really no better place to be than Cardiff, with the surrounding area rocking as the tournament took over this fine city. The 2 quarter finals here threw up two of the best single performances of the tournament, by teams playing the sport the way it should be. Special rugby days at Cardiff seem to come about with joyous regularity.

2. Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton

This choice may raise a few eyebrows, but the mid-sized stadium in the south of England put on a real show. Hosting just two matches, the stunning stadium witnessed what will surely be the game of the tournament, Japan vs South Africa. The sight of teary eyed Japanese fans in the ground was truly special, and the sunshine that beat down on the ground made it a joyful place to witness history be made by the brave blossoms.

3. Kingsholm, Gloucester

Not Twickenham, not the Olympic Stadium, and not Wembley get the final place in this list, it is Kingsholm that we rate as one of the best venues at this years world cup. There is something truly special about this stadium when it comes to watching rugby, a throwback to a time when fans squeezed in to standing areas to roar on their heroes. The noise form the shed as the likes of Argentina, Georgia and Japan took victory was special, and we’re sure their trip to the Cotswolds was a special experience.