TWICKENHAM — Driving through Bushy Park flanked by fallen brown leaves, there is an unmistakable feeling of magic in the air that can only mean one thing: Rugby day at Twickenham.
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However this year there is an extra sense of anticipation that even the park’s jittering herds of deer seem to convey as the capital prepares to begin the biggest sports tournament to hit Britain’s shores since the Olympics.
For the next six weeks England will transform into a rugby-mad country and the world’s eyes will tune-in to see if the reality matches the hype at ‘the home of rugby’.
The drive towards the home of rugby to collect press accreditation continues past the Cabbage Patch public house and down famous Whitton Road where excitement is palpable in the air.
Hordes of tournament officials scurry below terraced houses and bars adorned with the flags of every nation in a town that has magnificently encapsulated this celebration of rugby.
Earlier this week legendary All Black second-row and World Cup winner Ali Williams described Twickenham as the most ‘hostile ground in the world’. As a member of England’s opposition, maybe. But today the bright colours, aromas of food stalls preparing for the evening and sights of children passing mini rugby balls lay out a welcome mat for visitors that even the Olympics would be proud of.
Tournament organizers have chosen a perfect match-up to open the grand occasion in England versus Fiji.
The hosts’ first priority is to win the game. However almost equally as important is to win in a manner that excites a crowd of almost 80,000 white-shirted supporters into providing their loudest support.
The Pacific Islanders are famous for their confrontational, yet creative style and win, lose or draw, England will have been given a stern examination.
Years of preparation on and off the field has crescendoed to this day. The stage is set and the time for talking is over. Welcome to the Rugby World Cup 2015.