Best places to watch the Rugby World Cup 2015

Rugby World Cup fever has well and truly hit the UK and Ireland! With a dramatic start to the tournament seeing Japan beating South Africa and fantastic performances by England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, it is no wonder we are all glued to our screens!

For those who were not lucky enough to get their hands on tickets, we have compiled a list of some of the best venues to watch the Rugby World Cup as it happens.

Fanzones

Fanzones have been set up in most cities across the UK including Exeter, Leeds, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes and Newcastle to mention a few! The fanzones are a brilliant place to watch the rugby on big screens alongside other fans and really get into spirit of things. Enjoy refreshments and soak up the atmosphere with friends and family and all for free as there is no cost of entry for these fanzones. For more information on when these fanzones are happening and in which cities, visit www.rugbyworldcup.com/fanzones.

London

While mayhem will be guaranteed around Twickenham, the good news is that London is teeming with rugby bars so you can enjoy the action without battling the crowds.

At the Orange Tree in Richmond they’re big on food and mad about rugby. Located in picturesque Richmond and just 30 minutes on public transport from Leonardo Hotel Croydon, this is the perfect spot to watch the Rugby World Cup. With an outdoor BBQ set up the serving their famous Orange Tree burgers and the rugby showing on their massive HD screens, this place is hard to beat.

If however you’d prefer to be in the heart of the action then the Cabbage Patch in Twickenham regards itself as “the most famous rugby pub in the world”! This bar is legendary with fans, the walls are adorned with historic rugby shirts and memorabilia and on game day the atmosphere is electric! This rugby bar is located 40 mins from Leonardo Hotel London Croydon if you are taking public transport.

Dublin

The Irish love their rugby almost as much as they love their Guinness which means there are plenty of great bars in Dublin to enjoy a pint and watch the match!

Where better to watch the rugby than in a bar owned by Irish rugby players Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Rob Kearney and Dave Kearny? While they’re giving it everything they’ve got on the pitch, you can be cheering them on in their very own establishment – The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge. 

If you’re visiting Dublin and want to catch the rugby but still experience a traditional Irish bar then look no further than Toners on Baggot Street. Established around 1818 Toners Pub is one of Dublin’s oldest and most famous pubs. It might be old but it’s still current recently winning the Dublin Bar of the Year award! In a prime location close to the city centre, this bar is quaint and old at the front while at the back of the bar is Toner’s yard where large screens are set up to show the Rugby World Cup matches. Toners is a 20 minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Dublin Christchurch.

Edinburgh

Ghillie Dhu is a traditional Scottish bar hidden in the West End of Edinburgh’s city centre. This brilliant bar offers cosy snugs, live music and extensive drinks including their very own Ghillie Ale! They’re also showing all the best action live during the Rugby World Cup and serving up scrummy eats including a pie and a pint for just £8.95. A short 20 minute walk from Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh this bar is the perfect place to catch a game if you’re staying with us during the Rugby World Cup.

It may be an Irish bar but Malones is an ideal spot to watch the rugby no matter what nationality you are! Voted Scotland’s best bar in 2015, Malones will be showing all the Rugby world Cup action on their giant projector screens and promises a great atmosphere but expect big crowds especially for Irish and Scottish matches! Malones is a short 12 minute stroll from Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh – perfect for anyone staying with us to see some rugby world cup action.

Wherever you end up watching the Rugby World Cup, our advice would be to drink sensibly, cheer loudly and enjoy! You can also check out or locations close to the Champions Cup venues!