It was very late, the singing in the bar was deafening as I slowly and politely pushed my way through to the toilets; we had just won in Dublin against the English and spirits were high. On days like this you're so glad you dropped that little Imodium tablet at breakfast, because you couldn't sit on anything in that steaming room, the pineapple cubes being the only protection from reality. Toilet paper, towel or soap? Forget it, you're on your own in this 'no rules hell room' at the back, but it's enough to make you remember the medication the next time.
Have a good breakfast the morning of the game, you'll be glad you did, because most food that you eat after that will be overpriced and not much better than pet food. Even a small bag of chips inside the stadium will hit you for £4, and even at that price the queues seem endless. It's the big chance in the city for most places to get rid of everything that they wouldn't normally be able to, and to double the price, so tread carefully.
If rain is forecast, tuck a bin liner or two into the back of your belt. It's something dry to sit on when you get to your wet seat and invaluable on your walk to and from the stadium. Posh coats just don't work at the rugby, if you don't lose it, it'll get burnt by cigs and covered in beer.
How much do you want to stand out on the day?
At one extreme you can just wear the clothes that you wear every day and yes, you'll feel invisible. Seriously, you won't be noticed! At the other end, you can wear your countries shirt, carry the flag and wear some face paints and you will be very much part of the party. A friend of mine, a big Scot called Dave from Inverness always took 'Ralph', his rubber chicken, tucked into his sporran. "D'ya want to feel ma cock?", he would say to a crowd of girls. Initial response was always total shock, but when he waved Ralph at them…well that's what I call an 'ice breaker'. He did it to a Policeman in Edinburgh once, and didn't get arrested! Scots feel free to show the girls what's under their kilt on match days, an act that if performed on the same street the following day, would see them in prison. Strange old game! So to feel involved, dress for the occasion :-)
I've never seen trouble at the Six Nations, ever. It's somehow 'self policing', nobody wanting to embarrass their own country. Any hint of trouble is soon smoothed over by other supporters, often big lads, rugby players themselves. It would be unfair to say that football supporters generally tend to be chavs, looking for trouble where rugby fans are more family orientated, out for a good laugh. What do you think? Police separating Rugby supporters would be unheard of, we all sit with the opposing fans and drink with them after, talking about the game. On the other hand, any football match I've been to, fans are always segregated and drink in different pubs after the game. They spend most of the game chanting hate at each other.
Just over two weeks now until we travel to Edinburgh and I'm already toying with the idea of being in the city this Sunday when Ireland visit. An all Celtic game and impossible to separate the teams with the Scots on the ascendancy.
I've got no ticket and nowhere to stay, but the call beckons...
No comments:
Post a Comment