Hi All,


There is a busy rugby St Patricks weekend in London ahead as the London Branch welcomes the Irish teams and fans from home into the area. The below is some of the better events that have come to our attention and the weekend will conclude with the London St Patricks Day Parade and Festival, which the MRSC London Branch will also be taking part in.


Friday 16th March



England Vs Ireland U-20 (*potential grand slam) 8.05 pm

-A great way to start your weekend is to get yourself out to Wasps home ground in Wycome to support the Irish U-20 side as they chase a grand slam. England have a far superior points difference, so a defeat would also mean no championship, so all to play for. Munster should have a couple of players involved, with young JJ Hanrahan in the centres one to watch.

Tickets can be purchased here:
U-20 Tickets

England vs Ireland Legends Game 7.45pm

- For those looking for a more relaxed game and a trip down memory lane, this now annual game will see the teams contest the Stuart Mangan Memorial Cup. Stuart could have been like one of many of us in the London branch, Munster born and bred, over here in London working, and out playing rugby on a Saturday afternoon. If you don’t know his story, or never got to see it, the BBC made documentary on his life post injury and its tragic conclusion, which is up on you tube: Stuart Part 1

Well worth a watch for a number of reasons and proceeds from the legends match go to a number of charities, details of which at the bottom of the below link. Please support if you can:
Legends Game

Irish Exiles Lunch (12pm) followed by game (4pm) and an evening "shindig"

The IRFU exiles fund youth programmes for the various age grades so that UK based players who are eligible to play for Ireland get exposure to the other Irish provinces and have a chance of entering the Irish elite player pathway. A recent example of a player who emerged from this system is current Munster Academy player Corey Hircock Corey Profile

There is a realisation from the powers to be at home that with ever increasing numbers of us exiled over here, there will once more soon be a large playing base of Irish eligible players in the UK. Much debate is taking place about how best to tap into this diaspora, and the exiles is the currently supported initiative.


They have some spots still available at the lunch (GBP 100 per person) or you cant get a match entry/evening entertainment ticket for GBP 10 (which also includes bangers and mash to eat).


Anyone interested in a ticket to support the Exiles, please contact Ritchie Hunter direct (ritchiehunter@yahoo.com), referencing the MRSC London.

For more details on the exiles, please see:
Exiles

Saturday 17th March


Yager (Official home of the MRSC London Branch) Open from 12pm - 5AM


Directions/Location:

2-3 Old Change Court, Peters Hill, London EC4M 8EN


The nearest tubes are: Mansion House (.15 miles) St Pauls (.2miles) Bank (.3miles), Cannon Street (.3miles)

The nearest over grounds are: Blackfriars (.2miles), Cannon Street (.3miles)


To plan your journey there from any part of London, go to www.tfl.gov.uk and select Mustard Bar (former name) as a Place of Interest within the Journey Planner


Our London home base Yager (formally called Mustard) will be open and showing the Irish game and all Six Nations matches this weekend. We've had some very positive feedback thus far from those who have visited during the current soft opening period.

This Saturday, it opens from 12pm until 5 am Sunday morning as a special party to celebrate St Patricks day is planned. From opening, a BBQ will be in operation beside the large screen outside, and the rugby will be shown on all screens throughout the day. Our coverage will be the Irish (RTE) on all viewing points for those of you missing Tom,George, Brent and Conor. All MRSC members and indeed anyone wearing Irish colours will receive 15% off the advertised food and drink prices all day.

The MRSC London committee should have members present throughout the day, and will be seated near the London Branch banner so come along and say hello!


Irish Women Vs England, Esher RFC, Surrey, 2pm

Less than 10 miles from Twickenham, the Irish Womens team play England in Esher and the 2pm kickoff means fans going to the mens game can easily take in both. The Irish side are chasing a Triple Crown while the unbeaten English have a Grand Slam in their sights!

Esher Directions



Chiswick Moran Hotel Lunch (from 12pm)

Location: 626 Chiswick High Road London W4 5RY

For members that Yager may not suit as a pre-match meeting point/ for watching the game itself, we recommend the following West London venue as a potential meeting point:

MRSC London member Tommy Moran, a director of Morans & Bewleys Hotels Group, who are also participants in the MRSC member discount scheme, is hosting an Irish themed lunch in their Chiswick Hotel on St Patricks day. The venue may suit members as a meeting point on their way to the game on the day who are traveling via the District or London Overground, as it is situated 300m from Gunnersbury Station.

MRSC members are welcome to drop in for lunch anytime between 12 – 3pm or can pre-book a sit down 2 or 3 course lunch (special St Patricks Day Menu available). Those lucky enough to be going to the match can park in the hotel, travel by car to the stadium (c15 minutes) or the hotel is located across from Gunnersbury tube and overland station with access to the District Line and London Overland to Richmond which is within walking distance of the stadium or accessible via feeder buses. For those looking to watch the match you are welcome to stay in the hotel and watch the match live via its big screens in the bar.

Please contact Chiswick Moran Hotel directly at 0208 9965200 for reservations.


Sunday 18th March:


London St Patricks Day Parade and Festival (12-6pm)

The MRSC London Branch will once again be taking part in the London St Patricks day festival this year. We have an entry both in the parade on Sunday the 18th, and will also have a stand at the festival village in Trafalger Square. We are asking members who are in the area this weekend to help grow our profile, by marching with us and being part of a parade that attracts over 100,000 spectators annually.

If you want to be involved, click here to email London Branch to let us know! The event is of course child friendly and any children will get a small gift on the day, so please advise of any that will be with you.

A separate email for all those who have indicated an interest in taking part will go out Thursday morning with full details off the exact meet-up point, time, and committee contact should you need to be in touch on the day. Participants will be gathering from 9.30 am, but we are asking all our walkers to assemble in Zone F (our section) from 11-11.15 (parade starts at 12). The form up area is Piccadilly Eastbound from Hyde Park Corner.

For more details on the London Branch:

Email: click here to email London Branch
Facebook: CLICK HERE
Linkedin:CLICK HERE
Twitter: CLICK HERE