Come to the beach!

Brighton & Hove's official Rugby World Cup 2015 Fanzone opened last night with crowds heading to the beach to watch the opening match on the big screen. 

There was a range of activities to try and refreshments to buy in the main Fanzone area on the pebbles and along Madeira Drive.

Then as the sunset, people settled down on the pebbles to see the action live on screen.

The live feed from Twickenham showed the Opening Ceremony and England's 35 to 11 win over Fiji in the first game of the Tournament.

The Fanzone re-opens this morning at 11am. For the first hour, the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup will be on display. 

Fanzone opening times for the rest of the weekend:

Saturday September 19, 11am to 11pm
Sunday September 20, 11am to 8pm

Come along and see all the matches being played this weekend live on the big screen, including the two matches being played at the Brighton Community Stadium, South Africa v Japan at 4.45 today and Samoa v USA at noon tomorrow. 

Ticketholders can buy shuttlebus tickets to the stadium from the main office located in a portacabin on Madeira Drive. The shuttlebus runs from the Fanzone to the Stadium and back again after each Brighton match. The cost per day is £5, payable in cash only. 

Don't miss out! Come to the beach this weekend!

More information about what is happening in the city this weekend and how to join in.

Photo credits for all images on this post: www.snapitnow.co.uk

Under 20s in Brighton

Under 20s brought Rugby to the Brighton Community Stadium for the first time.

The Brighton Community Stadium transformed in style into a Rugby venue to be proud of for the England Under 20 v France Under 20 Six Nations finale last month on 20 March. 

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

England Under 20 produced a scintillating second half performance to beat the French team 24-11, winning the Six Nations title in the process. 

The evening also saw a very happy crowd of Rugby fans who witnessed the first Rugby match to take place on the Brighton Community Stadium’s pitch.

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

The U20s game was a success in terms of ticket sales too. A total of 12,615 people filled the seats to watch the match. This is the highest amount of tickets ever sold for an England U20s Six Nations match.

One of our bloggers and member of The Pack, Bill Hadgkiss was in the crowd. Bill said: “England Under 20 clinched the Six Nation's crown with a superb second half performance to beat France. This was my first visit to the Amex. The stadium is superb with excellent facilities for the spectators and proved to be a great venue for the match. The pitch was in perfect condition and the two large screens at both ends relayed the match live together with action replays." 

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

Bill added: "Full credit also to the marshalls managing spectators’ safe exit from the ground and access to Falmer station. All this together with a great atmosphere bodes well for Brighton to host the two Rugby World Cup 2015 matches in September.”

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

The England 2015 organisers were also able to use the match as part of their testing programme and were delighted with the delivery of the stadium’s first ever rugby match ahead of the Tournament coming to the city in September. Find out more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-C4javbqh0  

Photo credit: ProSportsImages

RWC2015 line up complete

Uruguay Qualify for Rugby World Cup 2015 

• Final score across two legs, Uruguay 57-49 Russia
• 20th and final team books place in England
• Joins Australia, England, Wales and Fiji in Pool A 

The line up for Rugby World Cup 2015 is complete. On Saturday 11 October, in Montevideo, Uruguay beat Russia 36-27 (57-49 on aggregate) becoming the 20th and final team to book their place in England next year.The Uruguay national rugby team, Los Teros, will join Australia, England, Wales and Fiji in Pool A of the world’s biggest Rugby tournament.