AFFICIONADO Gloucester supporters have helped secure World Cup rugby at Kingsholm in 2015, believes Mike Tindall.
Gloucester's impressed player/backs coach hailed the Cherry and Whites fans for their fervent and consistent backing, admitting that probably tipped the balance in Kingsholm's favour.
World Cup tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 confirmed Kingsholm on the 13-strong list of venues yesterday, with Gloucester's ground to host four games.
World Cup-winner Tindall said the Cherry and Whites fans ought to be proud of their passion for the sport.
He explained: "It's great for the club in terms of where we want to go, and it's a massive reward for Kingsholm, in terms of what the fans do and the atmosphere that they create.
"It's another accolade for the supporters, how great they are and what they produce at games.
"They fully deserve that respect.
"You speak to any player and they always love coming here when there's a full house and The Shed are in full voice.
"And that's the good thing, sometimes you're not always going to get games where lots of that nation's supporters can travel too easily.
"It's a long way obviously for supporters of the likes of Tonga to come, even though they are always well-represented at World Cups.
"So you're going to have to have good fan bases to fill the rest of it.
"And we know Gloucester has plenty of massive rugby fans, the city revolves around rugby.
"The supporters will fill the ground, make it noisy and make it a real spectacle."
