The 2015 Rugby World Cup - Bordeaux Expats
After England's recent 6 nations and 100th match trouncing of the shambolic and humiliated French team and as part of the epic British golden decade of sport, the 2015 Rugby World Cup is finally upon us. For those of us who haven't been lucky enough to sort tickets out back in the UK, here's a definitive guide to what's going on over the next glorious 6 weeks in Bordeaux.
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| Your MasterCard will come in very handy... |
As Rugby comes home to the UK, England are looking to repeat
their historic win of 2003, with Jonny Wilkinson's last minute drop-goal forever
seared in our memories!
(as well as the downing of several pints early on that momentous Sunday
morning…)
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| About as HUGE as it gets. |
Around 2.3 million of the 2.45 million tickets have been sold
for 48 games in the 20 team World Cup, which runs until 31 October and takes
place in stadiums across England and at the Millennium Stadium. Twickenham is
the epicenter and sees the opening/closing ceremonies, final and a host of other matches – other venues
include Wembley, the Olympic stadium, St James’ Park, Etihad Stadium (Madchester),
Villa Park, Stadium MK, Gloucester's Kingsholm, Exeter's Sandy Park (both rugby
grounds) and the Brighton Community Stadium! 17 matches will take place in
London.
World Rugby says almost half a million rugby fans are
expected to visit England and Wales during the tournament, with the World Cup
bringing a welcome £1bn to the economy. That's also a lot of pints and packets of crisps.
A total of 102 nations entered the tournament, which will be broadcast to 772 million households - 15% up on 2011 - with games being shown live in both Germany and China for the first time.
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| A truly international event |
Reigning champions New Zealand go into the tournament as
favourites, with England, South Africa and Australia - all former champions - all
tipped to do well. Ireland, France and Wales have also been touted as potential
winners, although one of England, Wales or Australia will fail to reach the
last eight as they are in the same pool.
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| Here's the digital wall chart... |
Players to look out for -
- Richie McCaw, the New Zealand captain is the most capped player in the history of the game (142) and led the All Blacks to victory four years ago
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| Could be quite a common sight over the next 6 weeks... |
- Dan Carter, All Blacks - the all-time leading Test points scorer
- Johnny Sexton, Ireland – one of the best fly-halves in the world who will be rivalled by 22 year old George Ford
- New Zealand wing Julian Savea, Wales wing George North and Fiji back Nemani Nadolo - also set to terrify defences around England for the next few weeks
- Other stars set to light up the tournament include Australia full-back Israel Folau, South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth, New Zealand's Brodie Retallick and Julian Savea, and Italy captain Sergio Parisse, (injury permitting)
Then we have rugby’s demolition men
- England’s Billy Vunipola - one of the best hard-yards men in the game, 22-years old and the heaviest man in the England squad with the power to match
- Irish flanker Sean O'Brien (the Tullow Tank - credits his strength to growing up on a farm), one of the World Cup's potential wrecking balls
- Mathieu Bastareaud – ‘Basta’ is the world's most mobile prop and France’s powerhouse – he is also 20 stone…
- Nemani Nadod – a Fijian speed/power machine and the heaviest kicker in Test history
Places to drink beer and watch the 2015RWC in Bordeaux
- ICB sports night
A brand new ICB activity open to everyone: SPORTS NIGHT! Friday September 18th from 20h30 onwards…
Watch the Rugby World Cup kick-off game England vs. Fiji with the ICB at
the Connemara Irish Pub.
To reserve a seat, please RSVP to contact@icbordeaux.
Stay tuned to the ICB page for upcoming events…
- Pub Crawl Bordeaux
The infamous pub crawl takes on the RWC. Guided by Beer Jedi Daniel Rock - see the website/FB for all the details...
http://pubcrawlbordeaux.com
https://www.facebook.com/PCBDX
- Frog, Bordeaux – all the main matches on brand new giant screens.
Craft FrogBeer on tap and a limited editon RUCK burger to taste. Games, special promotions and the chance to win free beer!!
- The HOP, HMS Victory and the Market Tavern
Have a look at their recent article for the full montyhttp://hmsvictorybordeaux.com/rugby-world-cup-2015
All three pubs are introducing their ‘Rugby World Cup
Passport’
Every time you use your RWC Passport during the matches, you’ll
get a special offer
Buy 4 pints of Carlsberg or Magner’s and get the 5th Pint FREE!
The same passport works in ALL 3 PUBS, during ALL the RWC games
And if you come by all the 3 pubs with the same passport, you’ll also get a
free shot!
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| Your passport to heaven |
- The Charles Dickens
Four large screens to show all the main games. 5 minutes happy hour after every try, and 1 hour bonus happy hour if France or England win their match.
Special lottery to win the Rugby England or France poloshirt.
The happy hours are on all pints, bottled beers (500ml) and large glasses of
wines, every day from 6-8.30pm.
Follow their FB page for more details - https://www.facebook.com/charlesdickensbordeaux
- V&B Bordeaux Lac
Special France game opening night
with free V&B rugby ball for the person who gets nearest to the correct
score on their FB page - https://www.facebook.com/vandbbordeauxlac
- Casey’s ‘Rugby Sports Bar’
Showing all the main matches. Open 7 days a week – Happy Hour is every day from 5-8pm.
- The City ‘Sports and Ping Pong bar’
All the main matches on giant screens simultaneously in English and French. Happy hour – 6-8pm (even at the weekend). You can also play Beer Pong…
- CPP Pasta and Pizza
The perfect accompaniment to beer
(apart from Bombay mix) is obviously pizza
https://www.facebook.com/CPPPastaPizzaBordeaux
CPP is near the Musée d’aquitaine and will be showing all
the matches
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| Not a bad little spot for a few rugby bevs and a pizza... |
Here is Ella Eyre with the Official 2015 RWC song ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' to get you in the mood!
If France progress in the tournament the town hall will undoubtedly put up a giant screen in either Place Victoire of Quinconces. However as soon as France crashes out in their traditionally theatrical and tear-filled way, all mention of the RWC will permanently vanish in a wave of bitter childish poor-sportmanship accompanied by the standard accusations of everyone else cheating (and that the tournament has been ‘fixed’ by the English). Can’t wait...
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com
