England Rugby’s head of grounds, Jim Buttar, says the new Allianz Stadium surface will deliver flowing, open rugby this autumn. He notes a recent 58-52 win with a single scrum and three line‑outs, and stresses that more ball‑in‑hand action spreads wear on the turf.
England will face Australia on Sunday, then Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November, followed by a condensed Nations Championship finals from 27‑29 November featuring double‑header matches among the top 12 Test nations. Buttar expects 14‑15‑hour days but is eager to test the plans.
The pitch was completely rebuilt over summer; 9,500 tonnes of earth and grass were removed, and new 11‑metre rolls of turf — grown 200 miles away in Scunthorpe — were laid in four days. A high‑tech reservoir now holds 1.4 million litres of water beneath the pitch, enabling precise moisture control and reuse. The new surface is 93% natural and 7% plastic yarn, tougher than the former 97%/3% mix.
Buttar highlights the sustainability aim, using nanobubble aeration to improve soil health and avoid stagnation. With four to five months of challenging weather, he stresses the need for flexible plans A‑D as forecasts shift, but early results are promising after a dramatic England women’s win over New Zealand.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing