The opening weeks of the 2019/20 campaign see the Reds hosting two of the best-supported clubs in the Greene King IPA Championship.
Newcastle Falcons, relegated from the Premiership this year, will visit the Island on Saturday 21 September, followed three weeks later by Coventry.
Reds chairman Mark Morgan said: ‘The relegated team typically bring a large contingent of supporters, and this season we have two bites of the cherry with Newcastle, hosting them in the Championship Cup this month and then in a league match in February.
‘Coventry were here in April and brought an estimated 700-800 supporters, many of whom we would expect to come back. It’s great for the Island, as rugby visitors will often stay for at least two nights and spend at well above average levels while they are here.’
Mr Morgan said the club were enjoying a rise in profile as a result of last month’s match against the Russian national side. The Reds made a three-day trip to Moscow as part of their hosts’ preparations for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan, and defeated Russia, the world’s 20th-ranked side, by 35-22.
‘The Russian experience gave us the chance to highlight Jersey on the world stage,’ he added. ‘The team were real ambassadors for the Island, and there’s been a surge in media interest – we’ve had journalists from France, Ireland, Scotland, England and Japan writing about us.’
The Moscow trip was organised at short notice after Russia’s scheduled fixture against Georgia fell through, with Reds’ player Luc Jones putting his club in touch with officials in Russia, where his father Lyn coaches the national side.
‘It was a massive amount of work to get the trip organised,’ added Mr Morgan. ‘The easiest option would have been to decline the invitation and play the trial match that was originally scheduled, but that would have meant turning our back on a great opportunity for the club and the Island.’
Keith Beecham, chief executive of Visit Jersey, welcomed the increasing importance of sports-related tourism created by the Reds and other sports.
‘The rugby club is an examplar of what Jersey is able to do in this area of sports tourism,’ he said. ‘A lot of this takes place outside the summer season, which is a positive in helping our restaurants, hotels and transport providers to stay thriving.
‘The Reds had a great result in Moscow and it’s not just the rugby – Jersey Bulls are doing very well and we also have events like the Breca Swimrun, Super League Triathlon and Jersey Marathon bringing people to the Island.’
