This weekend the Wallabies take centre stage against the reigning World Champions, the All Blacks, in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham and here are the top spots to catch the action.
All Black supporters and Wallabies fans already in Britain can soak up the rugby atmosphere at one of the official Rugby Fanzones in London including Trafalgar Square, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Old Deer Park in Richmond, only 20 minute walk from Twickenham.
With free entry, food stalls and a tournament buzz, the FanZones are a great base for fans and families.
Breweries, pubs, parks and even rooftop venues in central London are also hosting finals parties this weekend for rugby supporters and sporting novices alike.
1. Great British Summer at The Refinery
Image Source: Londontown
The terrace at The Refinery will gain deckchairs, a white picket fence and a massive screen so that its customers can watch every last moment of the year’s sporting tournaments.
Don’t worry about the action going on after dark, either – they’ve got warm blankets to keep their drinkers cosy.
2. Rugby on the Green
Catch a game on the big screen during the Rugby World Cup with these outdoor events taking place on green spaces in Fulham, south-west London. The open-air screenings will be accompanied by DJs and tickets include a complimentary drink, entry to a rugby skills fun zone and a snazzy poncho.
Other highlights include pop-up stores, cocktails and craft beers and a silent disco. Book in advance online.
3. Rugby World Cup at Rotunda
Image Source: TimeOut London
Rotunda in Kings Cross is upping the rugger screening stakes. Visitors will be able to watch the matches on a 48” curved plasma telly while drinking form Heineken kegs and tucking into hot dogs.
Private dining room packages are also available where guests can build their own burger share steak platters.
5. Sky-high Tries
Image Source: RoofEast
Roof-top film club has transformed Roof East in Stratford into a Rugby retreat. Watch the game on a massive LED screen with stunning views over London and the Olympic Stadium.
Alongside the street food take advantage of the food and drinks deals. Entry is free.
10 Things You Don’t Know About Britain, the #HomeofRugby
- The first ever international rugby match took place between England and Scotland played in Edinburgh, 1871.
- The Welsh rugby team were the first to ever sing their national anthem before a game in response to New Zealand’s famous Haka dance in Cardiff, 1905. This reaction was the start to the tradition of singing national anthems before major sporting events!
- Rugby is the national sport in three countries; Wales, New Zealand and Madagascar. Britain’s national sport is cricket, which is often over looked by our most popular sport – football.
- This weekend’s Rugby World Cup Final will be held at Twickenham – the world’s largest rugby-devoted stadium.
- No team has ever won two Rugby World Cup tournaments in succession – yet. Can New Zealand end this in 2015?
- The same whistle is used to kick off the opening game of every Rugby World Cup – it was first blown by a Welsh referee as he oversaw a match between England and New Zealand in 1905!
- The game originated when Rugby School pupil, William Webb Ellis, picked up the ball in a football match and ran with it instead of kicking in 1823.
- Two butchers created the Rugby Sevens in 1888 in Melrose, Scotland.
- Basketball is said to have been originated by a rugby coach in 1891 as he wanted an indoor sport to keep his rugby players fit during the winter!
- England Rugby 2015 estimates two million spectators have viewed the 46 RWC2015 matches hosted to date in 13 venues across England and Wales. Over 900,000 fans have visited the official Fanzones in the host cities and Rugby.