I've got a mate who's a Leigh and Bristol Rovers fan. He says there would be interest but Rovers fans won't go to Ashton Gate and City fans won't go to the Memorial Ground which would be a problem.

I think it would work, Bristol is reasonably large and has little top flight sporting events, the RFL would need to market the hell out of it though, something ive not really seen for a while. Aswell as this its no good hosting a game like fiji vs samoa, we would need an England game down there to generate any real interest i think.

If a reasonable crowd is achieved maintaining momentum would be the real challenge. Its a fairly pointless exercise if nothing is done post world cup IMO.

Nevermind a low key game, I very much doubt there'd be much difference in crowd for an England v Wales game down in Bristol than there would in the "heartlands".

If the city is prepared to back it then they should be given something decent to work with.

Disagree on that one Asim. I think if England pick DW, Headingley and KC they will fill them all for a WC game.

I think with some marketing, if England say played Australia in the opening game of the WC in Manchester it could draw 40-50k

With proper marketing and a sensible ticketing policy every game should get a decent attendance.

All capacities of 20-25k, but I don't think England/Wales would fill them. Ashton Gate isn't much smaller and with good strategy, planning and marketing I don't think it would be unrealistic to look for 15k given the natural England/Wales rivalry, the proximity to the most populous areas in Wales and the "event" status the game would get in Bristol, it's also an easy enough trip to make from the heartlands certainly for those West of the Pennines.

Rather that than give them Ireland v PNG or the like then grumble when only 3 or 4k turn up.

I think that's the problem with the Bristol bid, they won't get an England game in all probability. So what game could you give them to draw a crowd and make the event a success?

I personally would quite like a Wales game. It's not a huge hop over the border.

That's true. Although is the idea for all the Wales games to be played in Wales?

Quote ="jonny the leyther"That's true. Although is the idea for all the Wales games to be played in Wales?'" Also true, but with a few group games to be played, one could feasibly be held in Bristol. But of course our first aim is to stage a successful bid. We're very keen on using social media to raise the profile as it provides a tangible means of measuring support, so anyone here who uses Facebook and supports us should certainly "like" the page and encourage others to do the same. www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-B ... 8588873451 Yes, I will keep plugging it.

Quote ="jonny the leyther"That's true. Although is the idea for all the Wales games to be played in Wales?'" Also true, but with a few group games to be played, one could feasibly be held in Bristol. But of course our first aim is to stage a successful bid. We're very keen on using social media to raise the profile as it provides a tangible means of measuring support, so anyone here who uses Facebook and supports us should certainly "like" the page and encourage others to do the same. www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-B ... 8588873451 Yes, I will keep plugging it.

I'll like it for you mate.

Quote ="Captain Library"Also true, but with a few group games to be played, one could feasibly be held in Bristol. But of course our first aim is to stage a successful bid. We're very keen on using social media to raise the profile as it provides a tangible means of measuring support, so anyone here who uses Facebook and supports us should certainly "like" the page and encourage others to do the same. www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-B ... 8588873451 Yes, I will keep plugging it.'" I'd give up if I were you. It's not going to happen. It shouldn't happen. And it won't happen. As jonny the troll said the idea is for the games involving Wales to be played in Wales. Not Bristol. Not anywhere in the south west. I would be ok with Bristol hosting a friendly of some sort to see how many turned up. But if Australia v England couldn't even sell out the DW stadium in Wigan last time the 2 countries met in England then the chances of Bristol getting any support is virtually nil. Sorry. Thats just the way I see it.

Quote ="Captain Library"Also true, but with a few group games to be played, one could feasibly be held in Bristol. But of course our first aim is to stage a successful bid. We're very keen on using social media to raise the profile as it provides a tangible means of measuring support, so anyone here who uses Facebook and supports us should certainly "like" the page and encourage others to do the same. www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-B ... 8588873451 Yes, I will keep plugging it.'" I'd give up if I were you. It's not going to happen. It shouldn't happen. And it won't happen. As jonny the troll said the idea is for the games involving Wales to be played in Wales. Not Bristol. Not anywhere in the south west. I would be ok with Bristol hosting a friendly of some sort to see how many turned up. But if Australia v England couldn't even sell out the DW stadium in Wigan last time the 2 countries met in England then the chances of Bristol getting any support is virtually nil. Sorry. Thats just the way I see it.

Thankfully most people are more positive than you. We're doing something to increase the profile of the game. The Wales game idea is just a thought due to relative distance, it could be any match and we'll put as much planning and promotion into it as possible. Even an unsuccessful bid will at least get people talking about the game in this area, but the bid itself is well considered, well supported and encourages a step-by-step attitude towards growth. If we all shared your attitude, nothing would get done to try and develop RL in areas outside the M62 corridor.

Quote ="Captain Library"Write up in the local rag too. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Hop ... ticle.html Good piece in the Bristol City game programme too, and a photoshoot on the pitch - keep your eyes peeled!'" Great stuff I really hope Bristol will be given a game. They are going about this in a way that lots of other places could learn from

Quote ="Captain Library"Write up in the local rag too. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Hop ... ticle.html Good piece in the Bristol City game programme too, and a photoshoot on the pitch - keep your eyes peeled!'" Great stuff I really hope Bristol will be given a game. They are going about this in a way that lots of other places could learn from

Could we test drive the gauge for interest in RL with an England game in Bristol in 2012? England v Wales would be a good idea, obviously with Wales just over the border.

Quote ="Captain Library"Write up in the local rag too. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Hop ... ticle.html Good piece in the Bristol City game programme too, and a photoshoot on the pitch - keep your eyes peeled!'" Excellent. Certainly put some SL teams to shame, mine included.

Quote ="Captain Library"Write up in the local rag too. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Hop ... ticle.html Good piece in the Bristol City game programme too, and a photoshoot on the pitch - keep your eyes peeled!'" Excellent. Certainly put some SL teams to shame, mine included.

The only problem being that South Walians don't like RL.

If you so obviously hate RL and want it to fail at everything it tries, why bother putting so much effort in to posting on a RUGBY LEAGUE FANS board?

Sod off once and for all won't you.

Far from it.

I want RL to succeed. Thats why the sport should get stronger in the areas that matter before wasting time with playing places like Bristol.

"Areas that matter"?? Listen to yourself man.

As far as gauging the potential in the South West, I'd have thought the rumoured Wembley international double-header at the end of the season would be good way to do this. Yes, there's a fair distance from the South West to London, but arguably easier to get to than Old Trafford and should have more of a pull than Magic weekend. Its a chance for South West RL to galvanise the support and use the support channels available to them. If they can prove a sizeable group of folk are willing to travel to London to watch some Rugby League then we can assume that having a match in Bristol would be a success. It would also road test their model for attracting supporters and using the network around them.

I don't see there being an issue with a clash between two minnow nations being held there if the right marketing is in place. The likelihood is that there will be two fixtures at Wembley (or one would hope so), there could well be a match or two at Millenium Stadium and the possibility of another at Cardiff City Stadium.

Some of the bigger profile matches can be played within fairly easy reach of Bristol, which can be used to raise the profile of the match or matches held in Bristol. If anything I would imagine that there is more probability of getting more folk down to a match between two minnows in Bristol than having the match in the heartlands because they don't get any professional rugby and because of the intrigue. There's also a certain apathy held by heartland fans when it comes to internationals. On the other hand, the higher profle matches are the ones that should sell out in larger stadiums in the heartlands, so they shouldn't be taken down there.

Thats going on my signature.

and about 20,000 more than that if held in London.

And you know this how?

As I said previously, England v Wales is an intirely different proposition for generating Welsh interest in the sport, than a Crusaders or Scorpions game.