www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... thers.html Any chance of actually discussing what Clive Woodward actually said? It's just as applicable to RL and RU and is about the drinking culture that detracts from the sport.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... thers.html Any chance of actually discussing what Clive Woodward actually said? It's just as applicable to RL and RU and is about the drinking culture that detracts from the sport.

Why can't an individual enjoy their entertainment the way they want to? If that's drinking beer whilst sat watching a game good luck to them. Corporate hospitality encourages drinking and food etc before, during and after which for some is a big aspect of the sport and for the sport a big slice of income. As an ex world cup winning coach and pundit its his job to sit, analyse and then talk about the game/sport. Some guy whose worked 40-50 hours in the week and wants a sat afternoon out with his chums at the weekend is entitled to a beer if thats his/her choice

What does it really matter. There is never trouble at RU games and brings in income. this is an entertainment industry.



You do know more ale is supped at the A v N game than any other don't you?

But if an individual want to just sit or stand and watch the full 80 mins without interruptions of those constantly streaming past to the bar / toilet then why should they have to just put up with it ?

Because some folk like myself work Mon-Fri night shift, and funnily enough like a pint or two whilst out on a rare social event. You know see the mates and all that.

If you want an unrestricted view that bad, pull your armchair closer to your tv at home and watch the game

But isn't that the point, that Clive Woodward was getting at.

If you want to social event, then just go to the pub, if you want to watch the match then just watch the match, and perhaps have a drink before kick off & at half time.

Then the RFU need to shut the bars etc

Why cant there be a happy medium?

Could there maybe be stands or parts of stands where drinking is allowed and parts where it's not?

As for disliking Union. I have no problem with Union at an amateur level, in fact I far prefer it to League. In my experience it's far friendlier and inclusive than League and I enjoyed my amateur Union far more than my amateur League days.

At professional level I can't stand the upper class establishment nature of the sport/institution than actively tried (and still does) to suppress and kill off my sport and has (and still does have) a dislike of and patronising attitude toward working class people.

RU is boring and always has been. RL is boring these days but didn't used to be.

People going for a waz, pushing past and bumming you when they go get a beer, tripping and spilling it over everyone, talking to randomers who swear too much and know sod all about the game is all part of the sporting experience, embrace it, I don't get bummed when I'm at home!

Wow.....I actually cannot believe this thread has gone from a comment made on breakfast TV to a full blown argument about drinking at sporting events......jesus wept.

Drinking has and will always be apart of life. The British culture is one of the biggest for drinking. Drinking and sport go hand in hand. Please dear god go to an amateur game and I dare you to get offended at people 'ruining your view of the game' due to going past to get to the bar. The people who do this probably work their @rses off every day and when they finally get that day off on a weekend they want to support their team and have a few beers whilst doing it. And I say good on them. They can enjoy their life and time off however they like.

do you mean "bumped"?

Not when this impacts the enjoyment of other people who also "work their @rses off every day" and want to support their team without having to get up 15 times in 80 minutes because some people can't control their urge for a drink.

As for the amateur game, well that's exactly why it's in the shocking state that it is.

Or an alternative view,

As most stadia for RL are not packed to the rafters, the one's who seem so put out about letting people passed (whatever the reason is) could also move themselves?

You must be really fun to take to a game!! You'll find that a lot of people actually can 'control their urge for a drink'. It's a choice. I for example, like to have a couple of pints whilst watching the game. A lot of my friends like to have 5 or 6, not doing anyone any harm. Do you by any chance sit there in silence watching the game? Do you shout for bad referee decisions? Do you make calls about the game even if you know feck all about it as many people do? Do you swear during a game? All these impact people's enjoyment too but at least the drinking means the club benefit from the takings. Especially if you drink the home brand like I do (Bulls Bitter).

As for the amateur game it's a bloody social event. What do you expect? The fans and players to be tee total whilst maintaining a strict diet It's for people to get together, play the sport they love and then enjoy the social aspect which comes with it. It's on it's because there is no funding in the game, plain and simple.

The discussion is surely about seated areas and generally at event games.