'The Cow' sits at the edge of the Westfield shopping centre development and the entrance to the Olympic Park (from Stratford). Decent place for a pint pre-match. Average London prices though.

That's where we'll be with a group of 50 dressed as 1980s prop forwards (think mullets, short shorts, 3/4 length shirt sleeves), not sure whether that encourages or discourages you to go...

Well, beer is expensive in London, fact of life. I was down last week seeing a band, and my son remarked how cheap the beer was cos it was only about $4.20 a pint. Which is indeed very cheap for London.

Saying that, beer is very cheap in Wigan, even compared to the (pretty poor) area I live in.

Anyway, pub near Liverpool St station sounds like a plan. Don't know whether I'll have time, though, depends what time I can get a train to London in the morning, haven't checked yet.

£4.20 isn't cheap for London.

It is for Islington.