..The development of a new Anglesea Stand and Terrace will cost an estimated €26 Million and will increase the capacity for Leinster Rugby matches from 18,500 to 21,000.
There will be a new club shop for Lifestyle Sports as Leinster’s official retail partner as well as hospitality and media facilities.
The news is also another major boost to the bid team hoping to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023. The RDS is one of the key facilities planned to host matches through the tournament.
There had been objections lodged by local residents but the Council Planning Department has ruled that the development would not have a significant negative impact on the existing amenities of the area.
It is likely that residents will now appeal the decision to an Bord Pleanala but this is still a significant step forward for the project.
The RDS owns the Arena with Leinster rugby as a long term tenant. It is likely that once a decision is finally granted to proceed that the announcement of Laya Healthcare as the stadium naming rights partner will also be made.
Aviva’s sale of its health insurance interests mean that the two brands are no longer direct competitors and the transfer of games from the RDS to the Aviva Stadium, such as is the case this weekend for the Leinster Vs Munster game is now less problematic than it might have been.
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