Rugby World Cup: 2015 tournament will be once-in-a-lifetime for players and ...

No matter, because the focus shifts almost immediately to the next game,

momentum starts building again until, sadly, it is over too fast and we

spend our time wondering what we are going to do now.

I was lucky enough to be involved in two World Cups – in 1999 and 2003. The

big moments have obviously stuck in my mind, but it is not just those that

make a World Cup special. They create the headlines – the trophy, the

magical tries, the controversial decisions, the underdogs having their day,

the favourites falling short.

But more often than not the times that stick in my memory the longest are the

ones that happened away from the pitch, either before or after a match, on

the streets of foreign cities. Those will always hold a special place in my

heart.

In 2003 it was England supporters playing volleyball on Manly Beach in Sydney,

all of them stopping to shake players’ hands and pat them on the back,

feeding the buzz that was building and creating a once-in-a-lifetime feeling

that we were part of something bigger than the team, of something that would

last much longer for everyone involved.

And it was not just the England supporters that had an impact. After the final

in 2003, on the bus back into town, we drove past hundreds of Australian

supporters who were waiting for their own transport in the rain. At that

moment, in the midst of their own disappointment, they put their loss to one

side and applauded the England team all the way back into town. A classy

moment from a wonderful host, and it said a lot about rugby and the spirit

our game is played in.

This is something that will be very much on show in 2015 and that is why I am

so excited about being able to experience the World Cup on home soil.

Instead of having to travel to foreign shores, of having to get used to

unfamiliar locations and stadiums, next year the best of the action is

happening right on our doorsteps.

In order to give real proximity to supporters and give as many as possible the

chance to experience a World Cup live, matches will travel to stadiums

outside of the usual rugby locations and there will be 11 cities and 13

venues.

The list is one of rugby heartlands and new frontiers: Twickenham, the Olympic

Stadium, Wembley Stadium, Manchester City Stadium, Elland Road, Villa Park,

Millennium Stadium (one of the greatest rugby venues), Brighton Community

Stadium, Kingsholm Stadium, Leicester City Stadium, Sandy Park, St James’

Park and Stadium MK.

One of these is non-English, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and it is one

of the best venues in world rugby. (In terms of noise and passion, is there

a better one?) The rest are the backbone of sporting venues that all have a

special ring to them.

I will never forget playing for England at Old Trafford – but the chance next

year to get a game at Manchester City Stadium? For a City fan like me, that

would be a dream come true and even though there is no chance of running out

even as a mascot (is there any chance? Please?) there is no way I am missing

the opportunity to see England perform on that most special of turf to the

strains of Blue Moon and Swing Low Sweet Chariot.

At the same time, the 41 training venues have been picked because they give a

proper geographical spread as well as the opportunity of access for real

rugby fans across the UK. This is not about exclusivity, it is giving

everyone a chance to see the best players in the world during a unique

tournament.

The training venues are a mix of schools, universities, sports clubs and rugby

clubs, the organisations that hold our game together in many ways, and it is

good to see them getting the chance they deserve to show not only how good

their hospitality is, but how deep their love of rugby runs.

All of this will be backed up and supported by 6,000 members of The Pack, the

volunteers who are charged with making Rugby World Cup 2015 a magical

experience for everyone attending. The London 2012 Olympics had their Games

Makers; we will have our Pack.

Because that, ultimately, is what the Rugby World Cup is all about:

unforgettable memories for everyone who takes part or tunes in. It gives

both supporters and players a chance to immerse themselves in the game. It

lets us focus unashamedly on every moment of every match. We can be

patriotic and proud, nervous and excited. We can stand shoulder to shoulder

with rivals in the bars and in the stands and agree to disagree about the

outcome of a match. We can commiserate and mickey-take when the result goes

our way; or bite our tongue if it turns out we were so very, very wrong.

But no matter what, hurry to get your tickets or take part in the match day

fun that is bound to happen. Look forward to it, enjoy it and make sure you

stock up on your own unforgettable memories and moments from 2015. They will

last a lifetime.

Rugby World Cup: 2015 tournament will be once-in-a-lifetime for players and ...