why are the Top 14 semi-finals relocated to San Sebastian?

The rugby top 14 semi-finals are played this weekend. On Saturday, La Rochelle will face Bordeaux-Bègles; and on display from Friday evening, the Toulouse stadium against Racing 92. These semi-finals are being played in San Sebastian, in the Spanish Basque Country. In the streets of the Basque city, some ignore the event, others rejoice: “It’s a good decision to come here. It’s a big stadium. A lot of people will be able to discover rugby.”

If Aviron Bayonnais is a regular visitor to the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian, usually occupied by the Spanish football team Real Sociadad, c This is the first time that the Top 14 semi-finals have been played outside of France. Thomas Otton, National Rugby League Communications Director, explains the reasons for choosing San Sebastian: “ At the start, we were supposed to be in a stadium in France. But there are many who are in full preparation for the World Cup and we said to ourselves, let’s take the opportunity to go to San Sebastián. Ihe dossier they presented to us was excellent in every respect. It also allowed a closeness with the French supporters who can come quite easily to San Sebastián.”

“There are economic benefits for the city: 17 million euros for example for Nice, where the semi-finals took place last year.”

Thomas Otton, NRL

at franceinfo

Toulouse manager Ugo Mola is a regular at the final stages of this Top 14. He appreciates the uniqueness of the setting for these semi-finals: “J I always think it’s nice to go to a new and different stadium, that’s obvious. This is also what the final phases are: changing our daily lives. And that’s also what rugby allows you to live.”