One year before the Rugby World Cup, a train is criss-crossing France to introduce the French to this sport. After Brest, Vannes and Tours, he is stopping off in Nantes until Monday evening. The opportunity to celebrate the oval ball in a free and interactive exhibition on rails.
Virtual reality transports visitors to the field
When they step on board, visitors already have the feeling of being in the middle of the field thanks to virtual reality headset. “We see the players, we sing the Marseillaise, we are asked to put up the flagsconfides Alexandra. It’s really fun to do!”
– Leonie Cornet
This steward, a volunteer at La Beaujoire, is passionate about sport. And on the rugby train, she tries her hand at scrum. “Come on, we push hard, and we support ourselves on our legs”, encourages the girl in charge of the workshop.
A sport that will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2023
After the practice, place to the theory. Here, George and Blanche learn a lot about this team sport which will be 200 years old in 2023. “Until now, I didn’t know there was a rugby team in Nantes”, says George. Blanche, 23 and from Ancenis, admits to really appreciating the values of rugby: “You feel a unity and cohesion, the Six Nations matches last year were pretty amazing to watch.”
– Leonie Cornet
The rugby train also exhibits the jerseys of the 12 teams qualified for the World Cup, and traces the history of the event, from the first World Cup in 1987 to the present day. The exhibition also looks back at the origins of rugby and portrays its inventor, William Webb Ellis, who developed the rules of the game in 1823.
The trophy displayed on the train
And the highlight of the show measures 38 centimeters for 4.5 kilos. The World Cup trophy, also known as the Webb Ellis Cup, throne on its pedestal and is closely guarded night and day. A mythical cut that brings back fond memories for Isabelle and her parents. “Rugby is really part of my youth, she confides. I have memories of me and my parents watching the matches on television and my mother screaming at each try for the French team.
– Leonie Cornet
On the train, many have already taken their places to support the players in the stands from September 2023, such as Bryan, who plays for a club in Chollet: “I will be at the Stade de France and at La BeaujoireI’m really looking forward !”
Nantes host city of the World Cup
After Nantes, the Rugby World Cup train will stop in La Rochelle on August 9 and 10, then to Angoulême, Bordeaux and Dax. In total, 51 towns in France are hosting the World Cup train in their stations.
In 2023, Nantes will host four matches group of the World Cup at the Beaujoire stadium, starting with Ireland-Tonga, September 16, then Argentina-Chile, September 30, Wales-Georgia, October 7, and finally Japan-Argentina, October 8.