Opinion: Away ends could make or break the sport - but this is why it needs to be trialed

It’s 3pm on a bright English Saturday in April. Fans from opposite ends are singing songs, cheering on their team and jeering at the opposition. Security stands on high alert. A fierce battle is about to begin.

There’s a certain energy amidst the travelling west-country faithful as they bring their sense of tribalism to the London stadium. Will the end result cause unrest and resentment amongst fans, or will it simply create the perfect level of healthy competition that will be joked about in the pubs afterwards?

If you’re reading this and wondering why a rugby publication is describing football, we’re not. This could soon become the reality of rugby as the matchday experience is about to be changed, potentially forever.

Premiership Rugby has elected to hold two ‘away day’ trials in April which will allow away fans to be seated together in one stand. The first will take place at the Stone X Stadium on April 19 as Saracens host Gloucester, and the second at Mattioli Woods Welford Road a week later as Harlequins travel to Leicester.

This initiative is designed to mimic the atmosphere and intensity found at almost all football games as they attempt to drive up attendance figures.

Away ends in rugby. Probably one of the worst and most desperate ideas I’ve heard. Utterly pointless.

— Neil Fissler (@neilfissler) March 17, 2025

There has been huge opposition to the proposal, with many suggesting that it will take away from what rugby stands for – the ability to congregate with fans on either side in a family-friendly and enjoyable environment.

Now, this is a completely valid opinion. Fans of the sport have always enjoyed the safe atmosphere that rugby provides off the pitch, and it’s something that has helped the sport grow exponentially from its humble amateur beginnings.

But the fact is, with so many other leisure and sporting options in everyday life now, rugby needs another hook to grow audiences – particularly within the younger generation.

It’s worth noting that there will still be mixed stands, but for those wishing to create the almost tribalistic atmosphere like that found in football – this could be the way to do it.

Here are my thoughts:

Confrontation Removed

Although it can be (quite rightly) argued that separating fans can lead to division, not just in the stands, but in the streets afterwards, there is something to be said about removing ‘troublemakers’ from the situation in the first place.

To give you an idea, I spent two months in France in 2023 for the World Cup, going to roughly 18 matches – half in a professional capacity and half as a fan. During my time in the press box, the atmosphere was phenomenal. The crowd was mesmerising and the overall feeling in the stadiums was overwhelmingly positive.

However, my time as a fan was dramatically different. Having enjoyed rugby my entire life, on and off the field, I’m privileged to have met many wonderful people in and around the rugby environment. But sometimes, especially fueled by alcohol and the pressurised cabin that a stadium can become, even the slightest spark can become a flame.

While most of the banter between fans was light-hearted, even teetering on the edge of insulting, sometimes it went beyond what is acceptable in everyday life. I witnessed multiple instances where passion between opposition fans boiled over into aggression—one even escalating to a punch over a refereeing decision.

This type of incident isn’t unheard of in sports venues, but doing it in the middle of young families and elderly supporters brings the mixed seating into question. While this is an extreme example, it’s certainly not isolated. In fact, among four other games I watched as a fan, similar confrontations happened around me, leaving many concerned for their safety.

These moments, while rare, highlight a question: Could dedicated away sections prevent unnecessary conflict?

Better for players

You see it in football all the time, players score a goal and run to celebrate in front of their fans. It creates such a meaningful interaction between the two. Imagine it from a player’s point of view – emerging from the tunnel at the start of the match, seeing your travelling fans waving your flags and singing your songs having made the long trip – knowing there’s huge collection of eager supporters to cheer you on. There are no downsides there.

Nope!

Optional away blocks just give fans the chance to sit together at games. Means it feels like a bigger opposition presence and therefore a better atmos.

Quins do it really well, just less officially at the moment. If you don’t want to sit with your team, no one is forcing… https://t.co/e0VK4ZmKgh

— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) March 18, 2025

Groups of youngsters

Rugby has an ageing demographic. That’s a fact. World Rugby are pressing so hard to include youngsters in the sport, with good reason. The youth are the future players, fans and rugby stakeholders. So, we need to work hard to provide a product that works for them.

I remember being a teenager and there would be a group of lads from my local school who simply loved watching Swindon Town play every week as they cheered on their team in a stand full of other like-minded fans. Swindon weren’t the greatest team in the world, but these youngsters were able to be a part of something they wouldn’t get anywhere else. They were able to get that sense of camaraderie that many young men and women crave.

So, for those who don’t want to play the sport, but still wish to be involved, joining those with a shared love of their club could be the perfect way of doing it.

The final takeaway

Rugby is built on tradition, but it also needs to evolve. This trial could be a turning point—or a failed experiment. Either way, it’s worth testing.

What do you think? Should rugby embrace a more tribal atmosphere, or is this a step too far?

April 19th 2025: Saracens and Gloucester

April 26th 2025: Leicester and Harlequins.

Let us know your thoughts!