Rodney Parade
Rugby
URC
Newport
Score:
46.5
/ 60
Overview
Defying its modest proportions, and the relative scarcity of people willing to brave the Welsh weather by siting outside for two or three hours in late November, Rodney Parade is both charming and atmospheric. If anything, its diminutive size is an advantage, bringing you much closer to the action than a typical top-tier club ground. The dimensions also reflect the community feel of the place. In many ways, Rodney Parade feels more like a thriving amateur club mixed with a village hall. On the downside, its catering and facilities are also in keeping with the local club ethos but that shouldn’t be enough to put you off. This is a place to come and see what rugby means to people in Wales and what stands to be lost if clubs are cut.
Score Summaries
Atmosphere & Experience: 8.5
Plenty of people will wax lyrical about the spirit of rugby in Wales and what the game means to its population. At Rodney Parade, you can see that in action. Or at least what survives of that spirit after years of mismanagement by the national union and the suppression of spectator numbers as a result of long-term economic challenges. Sitting in Rodney’s Bar before the game has the feel of being in a village rugby club’s bar, where jerseys adorn the walls and everyone seems to know each other. At half-time, the Dragons Choir sing Christmas carols while kids from local clubs play tag rugby on the pitch. It feels like this is about more than the game. It’s about the club as a pillar of the community that brings its people together. That said, it’s also a fantastic spectator experience. The Newport faithful, even when they haven’t filled the ground (I attended a game the night before a Wales-South Africa match at the Principality, which may well have pushed down attendance), are loud and passionate enough to make up for the patches of empty seats. Don’t worry too much if you miss the pre-game lights show. It looks a bit like the visualisations on Windows Media Player.
Seats: 9
It’s rare to be so close to the action at a professional sports ground. You’ll hear every boot propelling the ball downfield, every screamed instruction to a teammate, every wince-inducing crunch as attacker meets defender. It’s visceral and gritty, giving an insight into the bruising intensity and athleticism of modern rugby. If we’re nitpicking, it’s a 9 because the seats aren’t especially comfortable and the numbering system and signage are somewhat baffling in the Bisley Stand (each section seems to contain seats numbered 1-25, with entrances to the stands indicating that they provide access to multiple sections, which makes it easy to find yourself being politely informed that you’re in the wrong place by an affably disgruntled season ticket holder). Avoid the temptation to make a small saving by opting for seat 25 in any section of the Bisley Stand – it really is a restricted view.
Catering: 5
A questionable hot dog in a baguette? A ‘Costa latte’ made with powder? Bovril? No, thanks. Do the smart thing and get food at Newport Market, ideally the koththu from Ceylon M8, before you arrive. Rodney’s bar is warm, friendly, and has a better drinks selection than the other bars around the stadium.
Facilities: 6
Functional, but freezing.
Getting There: 9
A very easy, roughly 10-minute walk from central Newport. Ticket gates and security checks are efficient and staff are friendly and will gladly point you in the direction of the correct gate.
Getting Away: 9
It’s a very easy procedure doing the walk back into town in reverse and the small capacity of the ground means you won’t find yourself part of a shuffling horde of humanity.