Bristol City have used their proposed new stadium at Ashton Vale (which may or may not be built by then - there is some local opposition), which has a higher capacity. Ashton Gate and the Memorial Ground are back-ups. Ashton Gate would be OK for a match though - decent atmos, quite a few boozers down North St in Bedminster/Southville serving good ale and cider etc.

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?