Rugby fans oppose away fan segregation initiative

The Premiership is considering bringing in sections purely for away fans to heighten the atmosphere at top-flight matches

Gloucester Rugby fans say that the idea to bring in away ends at top-flight matches would be "the worst thing that could happen to rugby".

The proposed initiative would be a move away from grounds like Kingsholm, where traditionally fans mix and opposing teams' fans sit together.

"There are a number of clubs that are very keen to engage on that," said Premiership Rugby's chief growth officer Rob Calder.

The proposal has been born out league-wide discussions on improving fan experience.

Under the proposals, fans could still mix if they wished to do so, but they would also have the option to sit in an away end.

Gloucester Rugby fan Jane Warmington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "I think it's an absolutely rotten idea."

"One of the big benefits of it is getting to sit with fans of the opposing team.

"The conversations you have, the banter you have - I think you'd lose all of that if you introduced away ends."

"It encourages you to have a much spicier relationship [with away fans] and it would be a real shame if we went down that route."

Ruth Cooke, also a Gloucester fan, said: "I think it's the worst thing that can happen to rugby."

"One of the great things about the game is that you meet new people and all the fans sit together."

"It isn't football and it's never gonna be like football."

George Skivington is the director of Gloucester Rugby

George Skivington, the director of Gloucester Rugby, said: "It's interesting. I think there's good and bad in both. I think you'd get a bit of a mob mentality going."

"I think people enjoy turning up somewhere and standing next to someone in a different shirt - have a beer, have a laugh, have an argument if you want - but then have another beer afterwards."

"I think probably keeping it as it is sticks to the values of rugby."

Gloucester captain Lewis Ludlow is open to the idea

Gloucester Rugby captain, Lewis Ludlow, said: "You see the footballers when they run the length for the pitch to celebrate with their fans or go against the away fans and I think it could be quite a cool idea."

"It definitely brings something different to a game. We're always trying to evolve the game and make it better and if that's a way of getting new younger fans to watch then I'm all for it."