There is always value in an option. And so the IRFU yesterday broadly welcomed an alternative to Lansdowne Road for future international rugby matches as well as the concept of a national stadium.
"The IRFU warmly welcomes the announcement by the Government of their plans to develop Sports Campus Ireland and Stadium Ireland, which above all will provide a focus for sport in Ireland," said president Billy Lavery.
Spoiled for choice perhaps but as of yet no binding decisions have been made by the union arising from yesterday's news regarding the future of Lansdowne Road or the 90 acres of greenfield site that the IRFU owns at Newlands, Dublin.
"A whole new realm of possibilities has now opened up in relation to Lansdowne Road and Newlands," said Philip Browne, chief executive of the union.
Under the proposals the new stadium would stage four rugby games a year as well as two matches in Gaelic games. From a rugby point of view, that would probably mean two or three Six Nations Championship matches, depending on Ireland's schedule, plus another international.
"The reality is that the facilities at Lansdowne Road don't add up in relation to modern stadiums around the world. The capacity is 48,000 but there are far more people than that who want to watch international rugby," says Browne. "Other unions involved in the Six Nations have been asking us for more tickets as well as people in Ireland."
The prospect of asking rugby supporters to travel to a different part of the city after years of treking to Ballsbridge, often by DART, does not appear to pose any real potential problems. Given that Dublin is now one of the premier destinations for weekends in Europe, demand for top class rugby from abroad remains very high.
With between 14 and 15 acres at Lansdowne Road, the site is seen to be too tight to draw up any grand plans to expand. The residential nature of the area might also be problematic in the event of massive rebuilding. But the IRFU are also enthusiastic about other facilities available in the new proposals.
"The whole notion of a campus that contains a range of sports, medical and coaching facilities as well as suites of offices for organisations gives a focus that has never been there before," says Browne.
"It represents tremendous foresight by the Government and puts Ireland up there with other countries. It shows a serious intent by the Government to address sport in this country. If you also look at the important economic, social and health spinoffs . . . sport has a significant role to play in society and this is a tangible illustration. It is something that will be there for people's children and their children's children," he said.
