OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB HARLEQUINS V LEINSTER TWICKENHAM STOOP DEC 7th - 2014
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Introduction London, the scene of many a fine victory for Leinster, needs no particular introduction and indeed many of you could write this guide better than we could ourselves. However London at Christmas offers that little bit more, that something special that will ensure that whether you re here just for the game or for a more extended visit that you ll have a very enjoyable time. Getting to Twickenham Stoop The majority of supporters flying to London will be using either Heathrow or Gatwick and both have good rail connections. From Heathrow take the underground to Hounslow East where following a short walk to Hounslow Bus Station you take Bus 281 to Twickenham. From Gatwick, take any train to Clapham Junction and change there for a train to Twickenham station. We are aware that there are planned engineering works near Clapham Junction on match day so bus transfers will be in operation for a portion of this journey so please allow extra time for getting to the game.
After the game The OLSC is operating a direct bus service to Heathrow and Gatwick for the last flights back to Dublin on Sunday night. Our buses for Heathrow are now full, however for Gatwick please send 13pp via Paypal to olsc@leinsterrugby.ie with a name and mobile number. The Gatwick service will ensure supporters are back for the 8.50pm Aer Lingus and 9.30pm Ryanair flights home. Supporters booked on our buses have now been emailed their respective coach number. Passengers must be at gate 3 in the stadium for a 5.15pm sharp departure to Gatwick and 5.45pm sharp departure for Heathrow. Please don t be late as we can t wait, if you need to contact us on the day please text or Phone + 353 86 893 9129. OLSC Supporters HQ The William Webb Ellis in Twickenham will serve as our supporters HQ across the weekend. It s also an ideal place to meet before and after the match regardless of whether you are travelling alone or in a group. Errol and his team will be on hand to look after you and will be offering their rugby specials which include Guinness at 2.99, Ales for 2.50 and a Classic Burger and Beer for 5.49. The William Web Ellis is the largest pub in Twickenham, they ll be playing all the other European Cup action over the weekend and also have free wifi (simple free registration required). For those of you staying in Central London over the weekend, why not check out our regular London base, Philomena s in Covent Garden. Our Top 5 things to do in London 1. Harlequins v Leinster Rugby, Sunday 7th December, KO; 3.15pm 2. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com 3. View from the Shard: www.theviewfromtheshard.com 4. Twickenham Stadium Tour http://www.rfu.com/twickenhamstadium 5. Christmas Shopping on Oxford Street For all London tourist information including maps, hotel and entertainment options please see www.visitlondon.com
The Stadium Twickenham Stoop has a capacity of 14,800, it is beside Twickenham Stadium and a short stroll from Twickenham train station and village. Langhorn Drive, Twickenham, Middlesex TW2 7SX United Kingdom www.quins.co.uk Flags As always for away games, the OLSC encourages supporters to bring whatever flags you have from home. Over the years we have handed out over 30,000 flags (with the white plastic poles) in the RDS, Aviva Stadium and on the road. These are cleared as hand baggage so please bring what you can as we ll only have a limited number to hand out at the stadium before the game. Sparkly blue Santa hats Our Santa hats are back for this festive season in association with Bank of Ireland. The OLSC will have a limited number to give away, if you get one please keep it and bring next week to the Aviva Stadium and also to the Connacht game on Friday 19 September.
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Message from the Coach I have mentioned before on numerous occasions how impactful the support we get at all the away grounds throughout Europe can be. Not surprisingly I heard last week that ticket sales for the Harlequins away game have surpassed expectations and I thank you in that regard on behalf of the team. This is a huge lift for us in the lead up to the game. To know that a sizable proportion of the support in that stadium will be roaring us on and making themselves felt. The players feed off that energy in the warm up, of course it is a huge factor as they walk out and at key moments it can drive the team on. Castres the last day out in the Champions Cup was the perfect example. Twice we fell seven points behind and twice we had to dig it out. The support that day was immense. Getting an away win in France at any time should not be taken lightly and I know the feeling that the players had in that dressing room after was a huge sense of collective pride for what had been achieved. A win against a well organised Castres team who had to win to keep their Champions Cup season alive, but also a second win in as many weekends when our backs were to the wall. On both occasions, whether in the RDS against Wasps or in the Stade Pierre-Antoine your voices could be heard and played its part. That was a second visit to Castres in two years, but London is probably even more familiar again. With so many living over in the UK as well, this fixture is probably one of the more accessible games for those wishing to support us abroad. For the players too there is a level of familiarity. This is a very good Quins team lead by an excellent coach in Conor O Shea. Our players have come up against them on the international stage on many an occasion and they have the current England captain, Chris Robshaw, in their ranks. It is a huge challenge for us but one that we are confident we can overcome. Their domestic form has been impressive with notable scalps already accounted for while they too come into this game unbeaten and ahead of us in the table on points difference. Something has to give and it is going to be a hugely competitive attritional fortnight but one that we are ready for. Have a safe trip and enjoy the weekend. These weekends and the memories that are made and the people met are what makes rugby special. Matt O Connor Head Coach Leinster Rugby
Message from the OLSC Committee. This weekend s game brings us back to the scene of one of Leinster s most memorable victories and many would view our quarter final at The Twickenham Stoop in 2009 as the game where the our traveling support came of age. The game demonstrated the power of the blue army which literally willed the team to hold out at the end of a tense and nerve-wracking game. It appears that Quins have not learnt any lessons from that day as the majority of our supporters will once again be located in the South Stand. We will need you to bring every ounce of energy and noise you can to this match if we are to let the boys in blue know we are there with them from the first kick of the ball to the final whistle. The head coach at Harlequins is our own Conor O Shea but he will be in no mind to do his home province any favours on this occasion. With both teams level in Pool 2 of the competition with only a points differential separating us, Harlequins are every bit as hungry for the quarter final slot as we are so brace yourself for a belter of a match. Aside from the rugby, London at Christmas should offer something for everyone and we encourage you to see some of the sights the city has to offer when decked out in all its festive glory. If you are passing through central London at any stage over the weekend be sure to call into our permanent OLSC base at Philomena s in Covent Garden. For those of you who are travelling straight to the game on Sunday our base over the weekend is the William Web Ellis Pub in Twickenham, whether you are travelling alone or in a group do pop in, Errol and his team are waiting for us with food and beverage specials, live music and free wifi. We ll have a limited number of flags to hand out at the ground but please bring what you can from home (these are cleared as hand luggage by the DAA). Our limited edition Santa hats are also back in association with Bank of Ireland, the committee will be at the ground with these and they are expected to run out quickly. If you do get one please keep it safe and wear to the Aviva Stadium next week and the Connacht fixture in the RDS on 19 December. Finally, if you need any blue gear such as a beanie or scarf, don t forget your season ticket card gets you 10% off at Lifestyle Sports, you can also avail of the discount via their website by using the code OLSC2013. A reminder too that if you are parking the car at Dublin airport over this weekend, don t forget to quote OLSC1415 for 20% off any non promotional rate at www.dublinairportcarparking.ie Finally, we d like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and what we hope is a silver new year. Be seen - be heard be blue! C mon Leinster! The OLSC Committee