The music promoter backing this summer’s Oasis reunion will be a major figure behind rugby league’s Ashes returning to England for the first time since 2003. The venues and dates for the three-Test series were confirmed on Wednesday.
England will face Australia, the world champions, in Tests at Wembley, Everton’s new home at Bramley-Moore Dock and Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley on consecutive Saturdays: 25 October, 1 November and 8 November. All three games will kick-off at 2.30 and be live on the BBC.
Organisers are confident they will sell out the last two games, as well as shoot for a close-to-capacity crowd in London. The series was due to be held in Australia before talks last winter led to a last-minute switch.
Simon Moran, the Warrington Wolves owner who has promoted some of the world’s biggest bands, was a major figure in delivering the series, as well as securing two high-profile venues.
“He’s supporting us and he’s helped us with venues and marketing: he’s fully on board,” said the chief of Rugby League Commercial, Rhodri Jones.
“It’s very much a step in the right direction for the game. It’s the first time a club owner has come with us on a journey like this. I liken it to Wigan and Warrington going to Las Vegas [this month]. He has been great. He’s an amazing person to spend time with. He will help with how we market the games.”
Organisers are hopeful of a quick sell-out at Headingley – which has a capacity of about 20,000 – when tickets go on sale next week to drive interest in the first two Tests. The England coach, Shaun Wane, and Jones defended the decision to have a potential decider there, with Jones calling it “Super League’s best ground”.
Jones said they have lofty ambitions for the games in London and Liverpool, with the second Test one of the first non-football events to be held at Bramley-Moore Dock. “It holds just over 52,000 and our ambition is to sell it out,” he said. “If we expect Headingley to fill up first, it pushes people to Wembley and Everton.
“In the 2013 World Cup [semi-final, when England lost to New Zealand at Wembley] there was just over 60,000 in, so that’s a natural target to overcome. If we get towards 80,000 then that would be a terrific outcome.”
Wane confirmed England will not have a Test this summer, meaning they will go almost 12 months without a game before the first Test at Wembley. But he believes that should not be a problem, with several squad camps pencilled in throughout the year. “I really don’t think we need that,” he said. “Having the chance to coach my country against the best players in the world … we will be ready. It’s the highlight of my coaching career. We won’t miss this opportunity.”
