Rugby Road

The History: The inaugural world cup of 1987 saw the hosts New Zealand sweep aside the  French to become the first world champions. 5 further tournaments have seen the honours shared between Australia (1991 / 1999), South Africa (1995 / 2007) and England (2003).

The Future: The Rugby World Cup 2011 brings to us the 7th world gathering of international sides and promises to be another fantastic spectacle. With scattered successes from the peripheral sides in the Pacific islands, and the emergence of Argentina as a serious challenger in 2007, we have seen the continued development of rugby as a worldwide sport. Will the next powerhouses emerge from Austria, Iran or even Vietnam? Well we are off to find out!

The Mission: To cycle unassisted, over 25,000 km from Twickenham Stadium, leaving on May 1st 2010, to finish at the 2011 RWC in Auckland, NZ.

Do we need to say more?  Rugby, adventure, and our mascot, Gilbert the ball.

Grass roots rugby of the world

Here are a list of the rugby clubs we are anticipating visiting, or have visited already !!

Prior to journey – Saracens – http://www.saracens.com/

UK - Twickenham Stadium departure – journey officially started by John Owens (President of RFU)

First UK stop, London, Foots Cray RFC

France – No response from any e-mails, but visited the ground of Lille Metropolitan rugby. No other grounds found on route through North France.

Belgium – http://www.rugbyliege.be/

Germany – http://www.scneuenheim.com/

Met with Claus-Peter Bach (president of German Rugby Union)

Czech Republic - Met with Eduard Krutzner (Snr) Ex International Player, Captain, Coach and President of European Rugby (FIRA)

http://praga.rugby.cz/

http://www.tatrasmichov.com/

http://rugby.prelouc.com/

http://www.bystrcrugby.cz/

Austria – We visited with the academy of rugby at Schonbrunn. http://www.rugbyaustria.blog.com

Slovakia -we located the elusive training facilities of the Slovak national team, but no-one around.

Hungary – Esztergom Rugby Club – http://www.esztergom.rugby.hu

Budapest Exiles Rugby Club - www.budapestexiles.com

Kecskemet Rugby Club – www.kecskemetrugby.hu

Eastern Europe EDF Energy Cup Finals – Budapest

Romania -IRB Nations Cup 2010 (Bucharest)

Bulgaria -Varna Rugby Club – rcvarna.everythingrugby.com/index.html

Turkey - Istanbul Ottomans http://www.ottomansrugby.com/ also follow the İstanbul 7s ın August (http://www.istanbul7s.com/)

Samsun Rugby Club – Facebook holding page

Georgia –

Azerbaijan –

Iran -

Dubai –

Pakistan - Lahore rugby reception, various rugby events across Pakistan.

Visit with Lahore Rugby Club -

Visit with the Pakistan Rugby Union – http://www.pakistanrugby.com/

ARFU – http://www.arfu.com

China – reception in Chengdu

Vietnam –

Laos - official reception with Laos rugby union.

Cambodia –

Thailand –

Malaysia –

Singapore -

Indonesia –

Australia - Melbourne, Footscray RFC

New Zealand –

If you are involved in Rugby or have any contacts along our route, please get in touch with us at jodieandtom@googlemail.com