Shropshire pubs and clubs gear up for Rugby World Cup fun
Pubs, clubs and sports shops across Shropshire are all expecting a huge boost in trade ahead of today's Rugby World Cup kick-off.
The action gets under way with England taking on Fiji at Twickenham and the six-week event will give the county's economy a timely boost.
Steve Charmley, from Oswestry Rugby Club, said: "We will have the clubhouse open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the tournament and everyone is very welcome to come along and join us watching the games.
The Rugby World Cup is set to be a banger in more ways than one thanks to a butcher who has produced a special sausage in homage to the tournament.
Scott Shepley, of Shepley Family Butchers in Market Drayton, has launched the new sausage to commemorate the rugby feast which kicks off today.
The 'England Rugby World Cup Sam Burgess Banger' features local ingredients including pork as well as a couple of mystery spices.
Mr Shepley said: "We named the sausage that because we think he's England's best player. His nickname is 'Slammin Sam' so we hope people will be slamming them in the oven. We think they have enough kick to be able to make any conversion.
"We are offering people free tasters throughout the World Cup and if people like them they can buy some. The feedback has been very good so far."
The 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off with England v Fiji at Twickenham today.
The final will be played at the same venue on October 31. Mr Shepley added: "I think England will win. We are the host nation which always gives you an advantage.
"It is a tough group with Australia and Wales, but I think we will beat Wales and win the group. My two boys Tom, 12 and Joe, nine, play rugby on Sunday in Market Drayton so we are big fans and we will be watching the World Cup closely."
Mr Shepley is no stranger to producing sausages to celebrate sporting events. Last year, as the football World Cup kicked off in Brazil, he created the 'Brazilliant World Cup Sausage'.
"Hopefully it will bring some income in for the club and, who knows, people may be inspired by what they see to take up rugby."
Ollie Parry, owner of the Salopian Bar in Smithfield Road, Shrewsbury, said he expects pubs to experience a spike in trade – especially if England do well.
He said: "This will be a really good World Cup as long as England can get out of the group stages. If they make it to the finals that would be brilliant for every pub in town that is showing the games.
"We are expecting a huge increase in the number of customers through our doors who want to watch the matches and have a pint at the same time."
Nerys Arch, 41, from Low Town in Bridgnorth, is chairwoman of women's rugby at Bridgnorth Rugby Club and said she is very excited about the World Cup.
"I am a big Welsh fan and am really looking forward to the game against England a week on Saturday," she said.
"My husband is a big England fan, so we probably just won't talk while the game is on."
Meanwhile, a special set of stamps is being launched to mark the Rugby World Cup.
Royal Mail said the eight-stamp set conveys the excitement and skill of the game.
The images on the stamps depict different moves and setpieces, including a tackle, scrum, try, conversion and line-out.
Andrew Hammond, director of Royal Mail Stamps and Collectibles, said: "These stamps portray a real sense of the gritty dynamism of the game.
"It's fitting we issue a set of stamps to celebrate rugby coming home and at the same time show that stamps are great markers in time of major international events such as Rugby World Cup 2015."
World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "You know a tournament is big when they bring out a range of stamps to commemorate it and these eight designs help to promote Rugby World Cup 2015 across the entire United Kingdom and beyond."
Having a World Cup get-together? We want YOU to share the fun.
The Shropshire Star has set up a special Rugby World Cup Star Witness Gallery. We want your photographs, whether you are watching the game at your rugby club, in the pub or with your family at home.
We would also love to see pictures from people lucky enough to get to an actual game.
You might be catching games at cities close to our region such as Birmingham, Leicester and Manchester.
Or you might be cheering on England or Wales at Twickenham or the Millennium Stadium.
It takes just a few seconds to send your pictures in.
And don't forget to mention who is in the photograph and who you support.
Enjoy the rugby!
