Get set for the Rugby World Cup
The flags from all the Rugby World Cup nations are up (courtesy of Teddington Together) and there is a distinct rugby buzz in the air.
Current champions All Blacks are staying in Teddington at The Lensbury and training nearby at St Mary’s University as are the South African team The Springboks. The All Blacks have been spotted sampling local cafes, restaurants and checking out the town during gaps in their schedules.
We had 20 of the New Zealand squad supporting us local independents last night! #Teddington #19kgofsteak #rwc2015 pic.twitter.com/sSnUMAR7g4
— Shambles Restaurant (@Shamblesbar) September 19, 2015
Richmond Council has organised a rugby FanZone at Old Deer Park where you can watch matches with 5,000 other fans on giant screens, be entertained by celebrity presenters and special guests, enjoy on-site bars, picnic areas, fairground and various ticket events over the World Cup timescale.
The Fun Factory have some stock of Rugby World Cup flags, bunting and balloons if you’re thinking of showing your support or hosting a rugby party at home. 1of1 Design have a range of rugby-related gifts and clothes, including hand-printed rugby shirts.
The Webb Ellis Cup visits The Lensbury
If you’re not attending the matches or other events, there are plenty of options to catch the action whilst out and about locally.
If you’re visiting Teddington before the match and looking for somewhere to dine, you can book a table at Shambles for Rugby Lunch before heading off towards Twickenham. Retro also have special rugby menus with a gold, silver and bronze offering and can even book a special rate taxi to get you go the games. You can join ex-England flanker Joe Worsley at The Wharf for a three course dinner and live screening of the opening game today from 6:30pm.
The Park Hotel are showing matches including England vs Fiji today from 8pm, with burger/curry and a pint for £10.95 whilst you watch. The Teddington Arms have three flat screens and a large projection screen to ensure you don’t miss any of the rugby action.
The Anglers are offering a range of hospitality packages before, during and after matches and will be showing all games. As well as showing matches, The Waldegrave Arms have a Rugby Fantasy League which could win you a £500 bar tab, England signed shirt and other prizes.
On Sunday 27th September there will be a Parish Rugby Fete at Udney Park Gardens, organised by St Mary’s with St Alban’s Church, where you could join a free raffle to win a rugby ball signed by three England players, enjoy a drink or two in the Builders Arms beer tent, enjoy a pony ride and much more from 2-5pm.
Note: some sections of the A316 will be closed so that only essential traffic for the events in Twickenham can have priority, South West Trains are also warning against travel from Waterloo before matches at Twickenham. For six weeks the matches will be spread over the UK but increasingly concentrated at Twickenham during weekends, especially towards the end of October.
