Regular readers of our blog will know that here at the Oakeley Arms we’ve got a little thing (or two, or three…..) about rugby! And so you can imagine our delight now that we’re in the throes of the Rugby World Cup!

Did you see the game last weekend, against our old rivals England? We have to admit that we were holding our breath for most of the game. It was a close call. But thankfully the boys in red pulled it out of the bag at the last minute (literally) for a cracking result, if you’re Welsh that is (sorry England!).

This famous international competition is held every four years between the top international rugby teams of the world. It was first held in 1987 when it was hosted by Australia and New Zealand. And if you guess that New Zealand’s formidable team, the All Blacks are the current world champions, then you’ve guessed right!

Wales vs Samoa in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Image by Jolon Penna on wiki commons

Twenty teams have taken part in the year’s competition, which is hosted here in the UK by England. Wales in the Rugby World Cup were placed in a group alongside Australia, England, Fiji and Uruguay – a group which was dubbed the “group of death” by sports journalists because it is one of the toughest groups of the whole tournament. Only the winner and the runner-up of each group will make it to the next stage – so out of rugby giants Wales, England, Fiji and Australia, two of these teams will be on their way home soon. We’ve just got everything crossed that it’s not Wales. And judging by their performance last week against England, then there’s everything to play for!

Come on Cymru, Come on Wales in the Rugby World Cup…. The next game is:

• Wales vs Fiji Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Thursday 1st October, 16:45

And did you know…. the winners of the Rugby World Cup are awarded the William Webb Ellis cup? This is named after the chap who was said to have invented rugby in 1876 when he kept picking up the ball whilst playing football!! We’ve got a lot to thank him for then…..

Image by Roman b on wiki commons