Flags are out for Rugby World Cup in Gloucester

Comments (0)

THE flags are out for the Rugby World Cup as the countdown to the competition enters the final year.

Street dressing has started in Gloucester city centre, with banners unfurled in Bruton Way and Black Dog Way.

More is expected to go up over the weekend ahead of an expected major ticketing announcement on Monday, September 1.

Come September 2015, the eighth Rugby World Cup will kick off and the rugby-mad city of Gloucester will be ready for the international jamboree.

“The countdown begins on Monday with it being only a year away and the street dressing will bring that to everyone’s attention,” said Bob Rumble, chairman of Gloucester Rugby fans group Kingsholm Supporters Mutual .

“The impact should be great in a small city like Gloucester than some of the larger cities where some of the games will also be played.”

Kingsholm hosted the New Zealand All Blacks and the USA in the 1991 competition but in September 2015 the famous ground – one of only a handful of rugby union stadiums – will host four matches.

Tonga will play Georgia on September 19 at noon Scotland will play Japan, on September 23, Argentina will face Georgia on September 25 and the USA will play Japan on October 11.

Hartpury College will host the squads from Scotland and the USA,

Cheltenham RFC will have Argentina and Tonga ahead of their local games while Georgia will use the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College site at Stoke Gifford, near Bristol.

“This is far bigger than New Zealand and the USA in 1991 because we have more games being played in Gloucester and the game has a greater global presence,” said Mr Rumble.

“We have teams which will be partly based here and the USA team will be likely to bring over a sizeable support too. Those of us who are rugby supporters get more excited by the minute when there is one year to go.

“It’s excellent for the city and for visitors who are not rugby supporters themselves to be reminded of the hard-won honour to host the Rugby World Cup that has been bestowed on the city.”

Gloucester City Council leader Paul James said:

“I think the banners look great and make the World Cup coming to Gloucester seem more real. No-one can be in any doubt that it’s coming now. With just over a year to go, we have lots of work to do to make the most of it, but there is such enthusiasm for the event I am sure it is going to be a great success.”

Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/10963110/Welsh-rugby-plunged-into-new-crisis-as-peace-talks-between-regions-and-union-collapse.html

Flags are out for Rugby World Cup in Gloucester