TonyTaff's Tepid Tourguide

By TonyTaff
September 14 2007

The visit of the taffs to Nantes on the first weekend of RWC gave a new meaning to the phrase 'painting the town red'. TonyTaff attempts to recall some material that might be of interest to the large Samoan community who use the Sarries site, in advance of their visit to the city for the September 22nd game.

1. The best way to get to the ground is by tram. Line 1 (ligne un), coloured green, goes straight to the ground; it's eastern terminus is La Beaujoire, which is where the ground is! What could be easier? Well, if you leave it until just before the match to try to get on one, your experience of forcing your way on to a tube in rush hour will stand you in good stead! You might like to head out to the ground to arrive 90 minutes before kick-off - the journey takes 25 minutes from the City Centre.

2. Unlike Lens, the ground is not alcohol free. (At least it didn't seem to be, as the many lager vans,tents, sheds were packed - I imagine that they wouldn't have been, if the only fare was the stuff that doesn't help you overcome the sinking feeling when you watch your team playing way below the standard needed to win the compo.) There are plenty of food and drink outlets at the ground, though those outside the security ring were mobbed, an hour before the Taffs-Canada game.

3. It is perfectly possible to take your own picnic with you, and sit on the grassy areas outside the ground. This was the choice of many of the locals.  Many taffs chose to drink eurofizz in the city centre's bars until the last minute, and then cram onto the trams (no toilets) - this seemed a suboptimal choice.

4. At the security ring, they'll check that you aren't carrying in anything that you shouldn't. Glass and cans are not allowed, but a plastic bottle (no more than 500ml) is OK. It did not matter whether the seal was broken, so, in theory, it would be posssible to take in white wine, or G&T, if you are so minded. The bars inside the security ring were selling lager in plastic beakers, and were less busy than those outside, at least until 30 minutes before kick-off. At halftime, both food and drink outlets were mobbed.

5. Ther are planty of urinals for gentlemen, but, as they didn't have a one-way system, gridlock ensued and much of the capacity went unused. there was a queue for the ladies as early as 45 minutes before the kick-off.

To be continued (if I get time!)