Copsey credits crowd attendance at Twickenham
Ahead of the final Heineken Cup Pool game against Castres on Sunday, London Wasps CEO, Tony Copsey, has this week paid tribute to the 33,282 strong crowd who showed their support at Wasps v Leinster at Twickenham on Saturday.
A 33,282 strong crowd witnessed Wasps victory over leinster in the Battle of the Capitals last weekend
It was a record home attendance for Wasps, surpassing the 2007/08 21,506 crowd at Ricoh Arena against Munster in the opening round of the Heineken Cup and previous home 12,137 Guinness Premiership record, while still at Loftus Road, against Saracens in the 2000/01 season. Over three quarters of the 33,000 plus supporters turned out in black and gold to show their support for Wasps at the home of English Rugby as they ran out a 19-12 win over reigning Magners League champions Leinster – keeping the sides Heineken Cup quarter final hopes alive as they head to Castres with all to play for on Sunday.
Reflecting on the game Copsey said, "It had always been our aim to give this game the stage it fully deserved. With two top teams packed with a host of English and Irish talent, Twickenham was an obvious choice for this fixture which was of international calibre. Playing at the home of English Rugby allowed the game not only the grandeur of test match rugby but also allowed the huge support base access to all the action.
Wasps CEO Tony Copsey was delighted by the support shown for the club
"To reach ticket sales of over 30,000, successfully achieving our target of a capacity lower bowl, supported the decision to take this game to a larger stadium highlighting the huge interest in club rugby and in Wasps as a whole. The challenge for us as a club now, is to utilize this great show of support and get the crowds to Adams Park week in week out. The impact of a big crowd and a full buzzing stadium cannot be underestimated and the players were delighted to see such a show of support at Twickenham. We now need to ensure that the great day out that is on offer at Adams Park is made fully available to all those greater rugby fans who have shown their interest and growing passion for Wasps.
"This season alone we have seen some great improvements at Adams Park and it has never been easier to get to the ground with great travel links from London, free park and ride and shuttle buses as well as ample parking facilities right by the ground. Adams Park provides a great family fun atmosphere and when at full capacity the atmosphere has been electric this season."
