The World's Most Iconic
Rugby Stadiums

November is a great time to be a rugby fan. With a whole host of international fixtures set to be played out by the best teams in the world, there's full-blooded action aplenty for the entire month.

Touring sides from the southern hemisphere will be heading up north to take on the likes of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland on their own turf in what always proves to be a fiercely competitive affair.

As well as the rugby, there is also the opportunity to travel, as matches will be taking place across the UK, in some of the isles' finest cities.

With that in mind, we have put together a list of some of the most iconic rugby grounds in the world. For any true rugby fan, most of these are worth a visit in their own right, even if there is no game on!

Twickenham, England

Where better to start than Twickenham? A stadium that has provided a grand stage for rugby for over a century.

This rugby colossus can house up to 82,000 fans and when filled to capacity, the noise is deafening.

Highlights include a rousing version of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as the home crowd attempts to get behind England - it's hair raising stuff.

Set to host the always-physical clash between the Barbarians and Australia on November 1st, expect an atmosphere of gigantic proportions.

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

The Welsh love rugby. They basically live it, and if you ever need proof of this, just head to the Millennium Stadium when the boys in red are playing on home soil.

This incredible structure is now the home of Welsh rugby, taking over from the formidable Cardiff Arms Park, and the national team has never looked back.

Right in the middle of the city, this rugby mecca is close to everything a rugby fan needs, namely places to eat and drink before and after the game!

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis has claimed that the stadium is the best rugby ground in the world, and while that is a very bold claim indeed, he's certainly got an argument for it.

Stade de France, France

Another monster of a stadium, the Stade de France often plays host to some of the best rugby fixtures in the world.

Almost otherworldly in appearance, France's national stadium is the sixth largest in all of Europe.

Some of the Stade's most impressive features include two 196 sq m big screens that give rugby fans the perfect view of what's going on at all times - ideal for those tenuous try decisions.

Murrayfield, Scotland

Another contender from the UK, Edinburgh's Murrayfield is renowned as a difficult place to visit due to its exposure to the weather, something that can be less than forgiving up in Scotland.

Again, a stadium with great history, Murrayfield has been open for business since 1925 and has also hosted every major rugby nation since then.

A stand-out fixture has to be when the Auld Enemy roll into town and Scotland prepare to do battle with their neighbours England. If you get a chance to see this spectacle, count yourself lucky as the atmosphere is incredible, intimidating and intriguing all at the same time.

Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

Melbournians are known to love sport of almost any kind, and it is reflected in this multi-use stadium which is used for everything from soccer to athletics.

However, it's not the Aussie rules or the football codes we are interested in, we are here for the rugby.

Due to the fact that there is a roof, the noise is all but sealed in which makes for an incredible din.

Add in that the Etihad is only a walk away from the trendy bars of the Yarra's Southbank and you're on to a winner. Sink a few cold ones to combat the heat and get ready for some ruggers down under.

Carisbrook, New Zealand

At 30,000 seats, Auckland's Carisbrook is one of the smaller structures on our list. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character and atmosphere.

Known as "the House of Pain", away teams never look forward to playing the All Blacks in their spiritual home.

Formidable opposition, a fierce crowd and unpredictable weather make this stadium one of the toughest places to play in all of rugby.