RANKED | The 5 best rugby stadiums in the world

It's fair to say, there are one or two surprising picks.

We’ll have our own look through his top five, but to read the full article head over and subscribe to the UK’s best-selling rugby publication, on-sale every Sunday.

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What he said: "Brilliant viewing lines for all 82,000 fans, comfortable seats, good facilities. It’s where big stuff happens, World Cup finals and semi-finals, Heineken Cup finals, Premiership finals, huge England matches."

What we think: England's headquarters might frustrate with its stuffiness, while other home nations justifiably complain of an overbearing arrogance from the home supporters, but there is no quibbling with the history or scale of the old cabbage patch. No best rugby stadiums list would be complete without Twickenham.

What he said: "You spend your first ten minutes on arrival just gawping at the vista, not just the best view from any rugby ground in Britain but one of the most beautiful and beguiling city views full stop."

What we think: Love this gem of a premiership ground, no matter the opposition, the weather or the referee it's great it's loud it's exciting and fun and the pitch views are great from any seat.

What he said: "Without question the loudest open air ground in the world, Guinness conducted an experiment one year and measured it at something like 121 decibels. I can offer no scientific explanation other than perhaps the noise of the huge, beery, south terrace was often blown down the ground by the prevailing wind."

What we think: It may have been a rickety old ground but you were guaranteed a passionate (sometimes hostile) welcome from the Irish, and opposition players would admit it was the most intimidating of all the Six Nations stadiums. While other stadia were all-seaters, Lansdowne Road still had old-fashioned terracing - and the noise was deafening!

What he said: "A smallish capacity – just over 49,000 – but an infinitely more scary venue for visiting teams than the spacious Stade de France."

What we think: A concrete bowl... but what an atmosphere... and it actually moves as the fans stamp. It is often described by French sports journalists as a "caisse de résonnance" (soundbox).

What he said: "The Old Cardiff Arms Park was great but everything about the Millennium Stadium – renamed later as the Principality Stadium – is nigh on perfect save from some early teething problems with the turf which can struggle a little when the roof is on for prolonged periods."

What we think: Situated in the heart of Cardiff, it manages to take noise levels to a whole new level. The high-banked stands and closed roof allow the noise to pour down onto the players on the turf below and is always worth a few extra points to the Welsh every time they play there. It's place at the top of the best rugby stadiums list is totally justified.