News article – Style D 1326

The game is kicking off at 5pm on Saturday in Gloucester. Firstly it is very important that people be in the ground at least an hour & a half to 2 hours before kick off to secure a good vantage point.

The game is kicking off at 5.00pm on Saturday in Gloucester. Firstly it is very important that people are in the ground at least an hour and a half to 2 hours before kick off to secure a good vantage point (those who left it late last year know what we’re talking about).

Secondly we would like all of the Munster Supporters to head for the Worcester Street End of the ground (which is behind one of the goals). We want to cement all of the supporters together (kind of like the Leicester effect in Welford Road last season!).

For those who might feel a bit parched, there is a very good beer tent in the Shed/Worcester Street corner of Kingsholm rugby ground itself and there will be guys and gals going around with beer dispensers as well. If people feel like kicking off the day earlier around 1pm, head to Teagues Bar (owned by Mike Teague) opposite the Shed end of Kingsholm stadium. Teagues Bar and Heineken have joined forces to make sure that the Munster army are catered for before the game. After the match, the meeting point will be Sloanes Bar, 3 Brunswick Road, Gloucester (which is in the city centre). Again Sloanes have Heineken on draught and Sloanes are delighted to welcome all Munster fans into the bar. This bar will be open until 11pm. There is a night club next door to Sloanes (called Jumpin Jaks) which is open until 1am, but they won’t allow people in with Munster jerseys or club colours.

If you want to continue the night after Sloanes pub on Saturday night, head to the Irish Club on Horton Road in Gloucester. They will have a local Irish band (Wild-Green) playing in the dance hall with lots of ballads, folk music etc., so lots of singing and dancing is promised. The drink is cheaper in the Irish Club than in any of the city pubs too.

The dance hall is on the ground floor with a large bar and can hold about 400, and on the 3rd floor there is a smaller lounge which holds about 200, both of which will be open on Saturday night. There will be a cover charge but can’t confirm the exact amount yet – probably around £5.

The lounge will also be open on Friday night and if there are big numbers showing up they can open the dance hall as well. They close around 1am but have been known for later hours (depending on the local law Enforcers!)

The Address is The Irish Club , Horton Road and the phone number is +44 1452 525728.

Thanks to Mike Curran (Waterville, Kerry) for the above information. His Aunt Nora is involved in the Irish Club in Gloucester and will ensure a big ‘Cead Mile Failte’ to the travelling Munster fans. Hope it’s a good trip and a good result for Munster ….

We were just saying here yesterday, that if we get a bonus point out of this game, it would be very good for Munster. Obviously a win over there would be phenomenal!.

For those of you who are staying at home, the game will be televised on Sky Sports only at 5pm.

Directions to Gloucester RFC and Parking facilities:

By Road from the North, South or East Leave the M5 at junction 11 and follow signs for Gloucester, A40. Follow the dual carriageway to roundabout, turn right following A40 signs to Gloucester / Ross on Wye. Follow the dual carriageway to the next roundabout (Longford Roundabout), and turn left following A38 signs to Gloucester City Centre. You come to another roundabout (Tewkesbury Road Roundabout), go straight across following signs to Gloucester City Centre; you are now on the Kingsholm Road. Gloucester RFC Ground is approximately 800 yards on the right hand side of the road.

By Road from the West Use the A48 or A40 into Gloucester. On the approaching Gloucester use the A40 Gloucester Northern Bypass. You will then come to the Longford Roundabout and take directions as listed above

By Rail There is an excellent service from Gloucester with regular trains to the all parts of the country. The station is less than a 10 minute walk from Gloucester Rugby Club. Come out of the station, turn right and follow the road towards Kingholm from where signposts will lead you to the ground.

By Bus National and regional buses run regular services to Gloucester. The bus station is again in the City Centre and Kingsholm is well signposted and only a 10 minute walk.

Parking Facilities Gloucester Rugby Club operate two secure car parking facilities at nearby schools. Kingsholm school is directly opposite the main club car park while for Kings School, turn right at the Tewkesbury Road Roundabout and proceed straight over the next roundabout, past Tesco s and under the footbridge. Take the next turning left, passed the VW garage and take the second turning right (signposted), immediately after the public crossing into King s School. Both facilities are manned during match hours and cost only 3. Alternatively you can follow signs to the Cattle Market for free car parking and then take either a 5 minute walk or a bus trip towards the centre.