Who’d Be A Welsh Rugby Fan In London?

ukevents · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 1941

Who’d Be A Welsh Rugby Fan In London?

Jay Morey

Being a Welsh rugby fan in London isn’t easy. The newspapers don’t run stories of the Magners League (AKA the Celtic League) and I can’t afford to jump a train to Swansea each time I need a Neath-Swansea Ospreys fix. So when the newest Welsh Gladiator, James Hook, kicked the penalty that secured the second league title in three years for the Ospreys, I was expecting a little more coverage than just a two minute feature on BBC News 24.

I opened the papers Sunday morning after spending a night waving my huge Ospreys flag on the balcony to see not one mention. Of course, priority is given to Leicester’s triumph over Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership final. But a small article, a couple of pictures at least?

It was the second most depressing Ospreys comedown for me in less than a month.

In mid April of this year I finally got to see ‘my boys’ live. Twickenham hosted the Anglo-Welsh cup, the EDF Energy Cup. I was slightly apprehensive, being English and sitting with thousands of Welsh supporters. I had wanted to learn the Welsh national anthem, at least Land of my Father. I’m glad I never, I wouldn’t have done it justice.

The first half was a rout admittedly. Leicester dropped themselves over the try line repeatedly, and I exchanged disappointed glances with fellow supporters. We all stood at half time, fingernails in mouths wondering what the heck could go wrong next. But the belief never died, we outsung Leicester (ole ole ole Ospreys was the best I could do).

Seeing Shane Williams, one of the worlds greatest wingers go over the line twice in the second half was the greatest live sporting experience of my life. They couldn’t come back, losing eventually 41-35, yet I came away feeling elated at watching an impressive game, seeing two teams at the top level of their respective leagues not wanting to give anything away.

Maybe rugby should be given more coverage. It does run along with the football season, and it is seen as a middle-class sport, but when it transcends class and takes over a nation as it has in Wales for so many years, you can’t help but get swept away with its energy and intensity. So a little more coverage please, Welsh fans live in London too.