381 days from the start of the 2023 World Cup, he is stopping off in the Basque Country: the Rugby World Cup train arrives at Bayonne station this Thursday 18 and Friday 19 August. Before stopping on the quay, in Biarritz, on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August. It’s free and every time between 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.. The opportunity to dive back into the competition and what has made its legend since 1987.
“The idea is to meet the public, the youngest as well as the oldest, and to share our passion for rugby. We are lucky that the region is a land of rugby, it is the case of the Basque Country. We want to arouse the excitement of enthusiasts and the curious to start the countdown”says Paul Couet-Lannes, director of the New Aquitaine sites for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Four wagons to visit
To occupy visitors, many stands and events have been planned. On board, four cars detail the sporting event, its history, but also the projects that accompany it. There is also a small presentation of the Women’s World Cup, which will be played in New Zealand, from October 8 to November 12.
– XAVIER DE FENOYL
Animations are also proposed and it starts strong, with in the first car, a virtual reality headset which takes you onto the field, singing the anthem with some players from the French team, during the historic victory of November 20 against New Zealand at the Stade de France. A little further on, panels are educational on the rugby positions, each represented by a French or foreign player and a machine is available to push in the scrum, for both adults and children.
The Webb Ellis Trophy on display
The end of the car tour is approaching a museum experience with the presentation of the competition by poule with the jerseys of each team, signed by the players. But also videos of highlights from the history of each selection and the possibility of listening to their respective anthem. Finally, the path ends in front of the glass box in which is displayed the legendary trophy Webb Ellisexhibited in its Louis Vuitton case.
Since July 21, 2022 and a departure from Lille, the train has already stopped at 14 stations. After Bayonne and Biarritz, he will take the direction of Pau (August 22-23), Tarbes (August 24) and Agen (August 25-26). Bordeaux will host five matches of the 2023 World Cup, all at weekends: Ireland, Wales, twice, Georgia, Romania, Chile and the South African world champion.
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Ireland-Romania
Saturday September 9 in Pool B -
Wales-Fiji
Sunday September 10 in pool C -
Samoa-Fiji
Saturday September 16 in pool D -
South Africa-Romania
Sunday September 17 in pool B -
Fiji-Georgia
Saturday September 30 in Pool C