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Aviva Named Second Last In Six Nations Stadiums Ranking

Aviva Named Second Last In Six Nations Stadiums Ranking
PJ Browne
By PJ Browne
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Sam Warburton and Danny Care named the Aviva Stadium at number five in their ranking of the stadiums currently hosting Six Nations games.

Warburton, a backrow who captained Wales and the Lions, won 74 international caps between 2009 and 2017. Former England scrum-half Care won 84 caps between 2008 and 2018.

Both agreed that the Havelock Square end of the Aviva reduced its impact as an arena. Interestingly, they also said that if Croke Park - where both played Six Nations games while the old Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped - was the home Irish rugby, it would have ranked much higher than the Aviva.

The pair ranked the stadiums on the BBC 5 Live Rugby Daily podcast.

Six Nations stadiums ranking

6. Stadio Olimpico

SW: It's not city centre. The stadium is quite far away. Maybe if it was a bit more competitive [against Italy], the atmosphere and the environment would be better. As a player, the crowd don't get on top of you there.

DC: Great trip but because the games aren't the greatest, that does come into it.

sam warburton danny care six nations stadiums ranked aviva

5 February 2022; Spectators celebrate as Garry Ringrose of Ireland scores his side's fourth try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

5. Aviva Stadium

DC: Irish fans are going to hate me even more.

SW: It's a beautiful, lovely stadium. Amazing atmosphere, but it's still in its infancy as a ground.

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DC: It's a three-quarters stadium. That bit at the end - I understand the planning [issues] - but imagine how much better it would be if it was full.

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SW: It is a bit funny that bit. If Croke Park was their ground for the last 20 years, it'd be a completely different conversation.

DC: It'd probably be number one.

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4. Stade de France

DC: Is it one of the great stadiums? It's not in the city centre. It's out of town. There's no booze. For the fans, I'm fighting your corner here.

SW: Amazing stadium, poor location.

3. Murrayfield

DC: Not a great place for me to visit as a player. I really want to go to Murrayfield as a fan and experience that.

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SW: The Calcutta Cup, I had to get out my phone like a fanboy when Stuart Hogg kicked it out. I had to capture that on my phone because I couldn't believe the atmosphere.

sam warburton danny care six nations stadiums ranked aviva

16 March 2019; Peter O'Mahony of Ireland wins a lineout as the scoreboard reads 22-0 during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

2. Twickenham

DC: As much as I do love Twickenham, I do feel the atmosphere at the Principality is unrivalled in Europe, and over the world. I'd say it's the best place in the world to play rugby, even if I've had some awful experiences there.

1. Principality Stadium

SW: Given its proximity [to the city centre], it's size, the atmosphere, the roof - I can't think of anything that could beat that.

DC: My first and only game I've gone to watch was in 2007. David Strettle, my housemate, got me tickets to go and watch a game. This was my first Six Nations game in the flesh, and it was in Wales. I remember going that day, 'Wow, I want to play here for England against Wales'.

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See Also: Talk From Roy Keane Turned All Blacks Legend Off England Job

sam warburton danny care six nations stadiums ranked aviva

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