SWINTON Lions are throwing open the gates for free for Saturday's home game against Toulouse Olympique.

It is all designed to try and boost home attendances at Heywood Road.

Swinton operations director Steve Wild said: “We have a tremendously loyal hardcore of support from the Swinton area, but we need to think hard about how we can increase our home gates.

"Letting everyone in for free against Toulouse is obviously a massive gamble in terms of potential lost revenue, but if we can attract a good crowd, particularly from the Sale and Trafford area, then hopefully they will enjoy the experience and become regulars.

"There is a strong rugby heritage in the Sale area, albeit historically it’s based mainly on a rugby union tradition, but once exposed to rugby league we’ve found that lots of people in the area enjoy both codes.

“We also hope that our loyal fans will spread the word amongst their own families and groups of friends, and maybe we can attract new supporters and sponsors, or perhaps re-engage those former fans who have become disaffected over the past few years.

“Toulouse Olympique is a name which gives the fixture an international and exotic feel, so hopefully this will appeal to non-regular rugby league supporters.

"The fact that we are playing this fixture on a Saturday should also help the initiative – indeed we have no direct opposition from any other rugby league games that day, nor from Man United, Man City or Bolton Wanderers – so everyone will be most welcome."

Corporate bookings at only £22 per head are also available for the game and more details are available by emailing steve.wild@swintonlionsrlfc.co.uk