TheRiddler
Dave Cowper (27)
Whilst I'm back in the UK for a few days on hols, I took the opportunity today of going on a stadium tour of Twickenham and visiting the Rugby Museum in the stadium.
Cost was £14 which I thought was quite reasonable and the tour lasted 90 minutes. Just 10 or so of us in the group and the tour leader was a volunteer.
The tour included the ERIC (English Rugby Internationals Club) room which is where all the old players gather on match days. They used to meet in one of the old bars but had their own special lounge built as part of the redevelopment of the Southern stand. Loads of great photos and memorabilia including an image of the first streaker at Twickers (who was apparently an Aussie).
The Tour then went up to Level 6 of the Southern stand and into a couple of the corporate boxes located on that top level. Great view down onto the pitch - totally different from the garbage view you get from the top of Stadium Australia. The tour then continued down into the Committee Rooms and President Suite and then out on to the VIP seating area. I was amazed to find out that the seat where any of the HRHs sit is just a bog standard pull down stadium seat. Apparently there is a very strict dress code for the VIP enclosure which is basically suit and tie. Princes Harry and William usually turn up wearing jeans and rugby jerseys which means they are not allowed into the VIP area and are seated elsewhere!
From there we went down to coaches/players area and onto the pitch. Then into the players tunnel the players changing rooms. Still looks very strange seeing Brian Smiths name alongside Martin Johnsons.
Tour finished up at the Rugby Museum which has some great artifacts, photos and footage from days gone by.
All in all, a top day out and thoroughly recommended for any rugby lover visiting the London area. I feel my rugby education will be further developed on Saturday when I meet another rugby institution but more about that another time!
Couple of photos and vids from the tour attached.
[video=youtube;z3NxvUDsN-8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3NxvUDsN-8[/video]
[video=youtube;1JQ3zmnXX-c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JQ3zmnXX-c[/video]
Cost was £14 which I thought was quite reasonable and the tour lasted 90 minutes. Just 10 or so of us in the group and the tour leader was a volunteer.
The tour included the ERIC (English Rugby Internationals Club) room which is where all the old players gather on match days. They used to meet in one of the old bars but had their own special lounge built as part of the redevelopment of the Southern stand. Loads of great photos and memorabilia including an image of the first streaker at Twickers (who was apparently an Aussie).
The Tour then went up to Level 6 of the Southern stand and into a couple of the corporate boxes located on that top level. Great view down onto the pitch - totally different from the garbage view you get from the top of Stadium Australia. The tour then continued down into the Committee Rooms and President Suite and then out on to the VIP seating area. I was amazed to find out that the seat where any of the HRHs sit is just a bog standard pull down stadium seat. Apparently there is a very strict dress code for the VIP enclosure which is basically suit and tie. Princes Harry and William usually turn up wearing jeans and rugby jerseys which means they are not allowed into the VIP area and are seated elsewhere!
From there we went down to coaches/players area and onto the pitch. Then into the players tunnel the players changing rooms. Still looks very strange seeing Brian Smiths name alongside Martin Johnsons.
Tour finished up at the Rugby Museum which has some great artifacts, photos and footage from days gone by.
All in all, a top day out and thoroughly recommended for any rugby lover visiting the London area. I feel my rugby education will be further developed on Saturday when I meet another rugby institution but more about that another time!
Couple of photos and vids from the tour attached.
[video=youtube;z3NxvUDsN-8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3NxvUDsN-8[/video]
[video=youtube;1JQ3zmnXX-c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JQ3zmnXX-c[/video]
