Forgotten Six Nations Stadium (50,000+ Capacity) Getting Shock Revamp

Tuesday, 11 March 2025 at 12:57

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byRugby Rucker

A once-iconic Six Nations battleground is on the verge of a jaw-dropping transformation. Rome’s Stadio Flaminio, which once played host to England in the Six Nations from 2000 to 2011, is finally getting a second chance after over a decade of neglect.

Find your local Greene King and settle in to the Six Nations!

This historic stadium, boasting a 30,000 capacity, was the original home of Italian rugby before the national team moved to the Stadio Olimpico. It even witnessed one of Italy’s most famous victories—a first-ever win over Wales in 2003. But after rugby packed up and left, the Flaminio became a ghost town, left to crumble with overgrown terraces and faded advertisements.

Lazio’s Big Plans for a 50,000-Seat Fortress

Now, Serie A giants Lazio are stepping up with an ambitious plan to bring the Flaminio back to life. Club president Claudio Lotito has revealed plans to expand the stadium to a 50,000-seat football fortress, making it the club’s permanent home. Lazio, who currently share the Stadio Olimpico with AS Roma, are eager to establish their own identity and create a stadium fit for the modern era.

Interestingly, Lazio and Roma have history at the Flaminio. Both clubs played there in the late 1980s while the Olimpico was being renovated. But now, the Biancocelesti want to make it their own—forever.

From Rugby and Rock Stars to a Football Powerhouse

The Stadio Flaminio isn’t just a rugby relic. Over the years, it has hosted some of the biggest music legends on the planet, including Michael Jackson, David Bowie, and U2. It was once a cultural and sporting landmark, and Lazio’s takeover could reignite that magic.

However, turning an abandoned stadium into a 50,000-seater football haven is no easy task. The challenge is massive, but the vision is clear—to revive a historic venue and give it a new lease of life.

A New Chapter for Italian Sport

While Italian rugby continues to thrive at the Olimpico, the Flaminio’s rebirth could be a game-changer for Lazio and Italian football. The stadium, once a fortress for the Azzurri, now has the chance to become a symbol of sporting revivalin Rome.

For years, the Flaminio has been frozen in time. Now, with Lazio’s backing, it could rise again—bigger, better, and louder than ever.

Three players Borthwick must change despite smashing Italy – who should replace them

Here are three changes England must make for their final Six Nations clash.

#1. Ellis Genge

Planet Rugby: "Again, didn’t get to do much scrummaging but on the whole was fine. Carried hard when given the chance and got about in defence."

Telegraph: "Probably his quietest performance of the Championship so far. Won an early scrum penalty but then got pinged for sealing off right in front of the posts."

Mail Online: Warned for protesting with referee in the first half after being penalised for sealing off. Added a couple of trademark carries in attack.

Evening Standard: "Warned by the referee for his reaction to giving away a contentious late first-half penalty as he had too much to say for himself. Not his best day otherwise but useful in the loose."

Replacement: Fin Baxter

#2. Ollie Lawrence

RUCK: Lawrence made some strong carries early on and shipped a nice offload in contact. He went down untouched in the attacking line and was unfortunately forced off the field with an injury, possibly ending his Six Nations campaign.

Guardian: "A silky offload during England’s first attack, but day cut short by an apparent hamstring injury."

Telegraph: "Such a shame. Would have been right in the mix for a Lions starting shirt, but now that appears to be a long shot after looking to have done to his achilles."

Planet Rugby: "Was going very well but picked up a nasty-looking injury and was later seen in a boot. Hopefully, it isn’t as bad as first feared."

Mail Online: "Left the pitch with his head in his hands in the eighth minute, collapsing in a heap with a suspected Achilles injury. Marcus Smith replaced him in a re-jigged backline."

Replacement: Elliot Daly

#3. Elliot Daly

Telegraph: "Signalled England’s attacking intent by leading out the first long ball. Moved to outside centre and was generally assured, but gave away a couple of penalties"

Replacement: Marcus Smith

QUIZ: Can You Name the England XV that Won the 2020 Six Nations?

England last won the Six Nations in 2020, in what was a crowning achievement during the Eddie Jones era. Coming off the back of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final heartbreak, England bounced back to win their seventh Six Nations title since the competition's Italian expansion in 2000.

England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!

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