Yep, I’m headed to England and Wales in August for a rugby tour. 10 days, three stops and six games. Really wanted to start talking about it, and after reading Si Amigo’s stabby story, thought his would be a cool way to get excited about it.
So, ask away!
Are you playing or watching?
And what **Si Amigo ** story? I’l read pretty much anything about Rugby.
Here’s the **Si Amigo **stabby thread http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=692871. He’s got a pretty sweet attitude for a guy who’s girl drunkenly turned on him. It’s not rugby related, I was just using it as a cool example of the “Ask a guy…” meme.
As for this one, I am playing in the UK. I am a non-professional (like 99% percent of american ruggers) player in New England.
Advice from a former rugger: Don’t get injured. It makes any touring you’re doing after problematic.
OR, do your sightseeing before any rough games. Oh, but it sounds like you’re on a planned tour. Well, stay healthy, even if that means pacing yourself/not doing anything stupid. That guy playing across from you who’s foaming at the mouth? Do NOT growl back at him.
Oh, I haven’t asked you anything:
What position do you play?
Hope you’re a back. That way, if you play well, you avoid tackles. If you’re in the scrum, you could be taken “to hospital” for a separated shoulder/ACL problems.
And where all are you traveling to? Taking spouse/friends, or just The Guys?
Nice advise digs. I’ve been on tour before, and hosted them. I’ve seen what injuries can do to a good time 
I am touring with my club, around 35 guys. 4 wives and 4 female hangers on going too.
I am a tight five player by build and talent, scrum half by choice. We are bringing 5 scrum halfs on tour, so looks like I’ll be propping against the brits.
Our three stops are Worcester, England (our sister city, we play for Worcester MA and hosted the Wanderers 2 years ago); Mahen, Wales (another club we have historically traded hosting tours with, it’s beautiful there); then we finish outside London at Twickenham, with a tour of the Cabbage patch (Sing Low, Sweet Chariot!)
See if you can play scrum half for a game or two-- you’ll be using more brains than brawn. I got tackled ONCE as a scrum half (and that was in goal). [/sneak brag]
Will you be singing after the games? Every Brit team we played sang lustily, and a Welsh team brought me to tears with their heart-breaking tenor voices.
When I play #9, it’s usually the other #9 who’s tackling me, and because I am quite larger than a traditional scrum half, they tend to slide right down me while I offload.
There will be singing; we have a tour songbook and are encouraging our boys to choir up. But we will indoubtably be put to shame by the brits. They love to sing at post match socials. And while our “american” singing style usually consists of group choir, our hosts love to sing solo. I’ve found most of them have their own songs, and it can take a while and alot of polite (?) attention while they individually go through their set lists. Good times.
Word of advice from an English girl with a welsh partner - rugby is the national religion of Wales and hating on the England rugby team is a national pastime. So don’t bang on about visiting Twickenham (the home stadium of the England team for casual viewers of this thread) and don’t for god’s sake break into a rendition of Swing Lo - you’ll be lynched for less.
Instead, get them to teach you the welsh national anthem. They love to sing almost as much as they love rugby.
Thanks SanVito, one of the reasons we are headed to Wales is their love, history and respect for the game played in heaven.
I will heed your advise regarding Swing Low Sweet Chariot, that is a mistake I could easily make after a few pints in the clubhouse…
“We call upon HotDogWater to sing us a song!”
“Ahem…Swing Low, Sweet Char…” BAM! :smack: