SARACENS USED THE weekend LV Cup tie with Cardiff Blues as a ‘test event’ for their new £24 million home, Allianz Park.
The ground is the first purpose-built artificial surface for rugby union and is likely to be the venue when Ulster travel to play their Heineken Cup quarter final on April 6.
Former Leinster youth, Robin Copeland, earned himself the honour of scoring the first competitive try on the surface, but the home side overcame a narrow 6-8 half time deficit to win out 19-11 in front of a crowd limited to 3,500.
Here’s how the surface looks – only minor visible signs of the carpet burn which usually goes hand-in-hand with playing on astro.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Allianz Park -- Saracens 19 Cardiff Blues 11.
Image credits: Andrew Matthews/ Press Association.
Having passed the ‘test’ in the new venue, Sarries will be able to bring the capacity up to 10,000 for their next home fixture against Exeter and they could squeeze 15,000 in for Ulster’s European Cup visit.
