WHAT IT'S LIKE TO...PLAY GAMES IN A TEMPORARY HOME
Rugby World|April 2024
France aren't the first Six Nations team to forgo their usual home comforts
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO...PLAY GAMES IN A TEMPORARY HOME

THE PARIS Olympics is having a major influence on this year’s Men’s Six Nations in taking Antoine Dupont out of the championship. But apart from the French captain’s sevens sabbatical, there is another significant side-effect on the team from the five-ringed fun to come this summer – no Stade de France.

With their usual home stadium being readied to host the Games, France find themselves on a Six Nations-style Tour de France. Stage number one, to the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, ended in an almighty crash as les Bleus produced one of their worst performances under Fabien Galthié in being humbled by Ireland. Could the Mediterranean air have been a factor?

Taking championship games on the road is a rarity for a reason. Unions and federations don’t care to endanger the cash cow that is a home fixture but nor do they like to mess with the familiarity of the feng shui.

When rickety old Lansdowne Road was being turned into the gleaming Aviva Stadium, Ireland spent four Six Nations seasons at Croke Park.

Their tenancy started badly too, with a home defeat to France in 2007.

But then England came visiting. “Epic,” was how Geordan Murphy recalls the atmosphere at the Gaelic Games citadel that day. England never stood a chance. They were pulverised 43-13. It was an occasion, dripping in symbolism, which none of the 83,000 present will ever forget.

Bu hikaye Rugby World dergisinin April 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Rugby World dergisinin April 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

RUGBY WORLD DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
"I remember getting eating guidelines for Christmas Day!"
Rugby World

"I remember getting eating guidelines for Christmas Day!"

CHRISTMAS, the most wonderful time of the year? Not if you’re a professional rugby player it’s not.

time-read
3 dak  |
January 2025
Rugby firsts
Rugby World

Rugby firsts

FIRST RUGBY match you went to? I would have gone to RODNEY PARADE to watch a Newport game when I was about six years old, so around 1992 or 1993.

time-read
2 dak  |
January 2025
THE JOHN FISHER STATE SCHOOL RUGBY FESTIVAL
Rugby World

THE JOHN FISHER STATE SCHOOL RUGBY FESTIVAL

The inaugural John Fisher Rugby Festival hopes to Send state-school rugby players into the stratosphere.

time-read
8 dak  |
January 2025
The Making Of Robbie Henshaw
Rugby World

The Making Of Robbie Henshaw

How this small-town boy went On to become a big-time player

time-read
6 dak  |
January 2025
RG SNYMAN
Rugby World

RG SNYMAN

The giant Springbok is enjoying the best of both worlds since joining Leinster

time-read
3 dak  |
January 2025
BENHARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG
Rugby World

BENHARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG

Bristol's South African centre has one eye on an England call-up in 2026

time-read
4 dak  |
January 2025
RUGBY RANT
Rugby World

RUGBY RANT

Jessica Hayden, author of The Red Roses, says the women’s game can handle criticism

time-read
2 dak  |
January 2025
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ...GO ON TOUR WITH EMERGING IRELAND
Rugby World

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ...GO ON TOUR WITH EMERGING IRELAND

Munster's Ben O'Connor tells RW about the eye-opening trip to South Africa

time-read
4 dak  |
January 2025
"Welsh rugby treats players like pieces of meat, not assets"
Rugby World

"Welsh rugby treats players like pieces of meat, not assets"

THEY’VE BUILT the women’s game around the men’s game in Wales but it has to be its own thing.

time-read
3 dak  |
January 2025
"I don't believe in dinosaurs – the boys think it's nuts!"
Rugby World

"I don't believe in dinosaurs – the boys think it's nuts!"

The Exeter Chiefs hooker talks Tarmac, time travel and Tyson Fury

time-read
3 dak  |
January 2025