Almost a year from the Rugby World Cup in France, a train has been criss-crossing the country to promote the event since July 21. A tour of 114 daysclose to 11,000 kilometers covered, the objective for the organization is to “connect rugby to the French”.
Xavier Chauveau is a member of the World Cup Organizing Committee. For him, “it was important for the train to stop in Pau, a city which is a stronghold of French rugby“. The objective he defends is to meet the general public and the territories. “80% of French people live less than two hours from a stadium“, explains the organizer.
– Lolla Sauty
The train offers several activities: a look back at the history of rugby, an exhibition of the jerseys of each selection, but above all, in the last car of the train, the Webb Ellis Trophy is exposed. “We will be able to take a picture of it and above all hope that it will come back to us next year!“, rejoices Vincent, who came to visit the train with his son, Léo.
Virtual reality for a dive into the heart of the Stade de France
One of the train’s flagship activities is also a virtual reality workshop. Vincent and Léo tried it, immersed in the future, on September 8, 2023, at the opening of the match France / New Zealand which will open the World Cup. “We could see the entry of all the players into the Stadium as if we were with them, we also sang the anthem. It is very impressive“, says Leo.
Claire-Marie came to discover the World Cup train with her four sons. A sporty family, but not necessarily a fan of rugby. “But I said to myself that with four boys, it’s an event you can’t miss! Maybe once at the end of the train they will want take up rugby !”. If so, objective achieved for the organization of the event.
The World Cup train will also stop at Tarbes Wednesday August 24.