After all the excitement of watching the Rugby World Cup, at last I have tickets to go and watch my first rugby match! Down in this neck of the woods, I had to choose which team to support between Bath and Gloucester – so, as I believe they have more Scots playing for them, I am supporting Gloucester - Chris Paterson, Alasdair Dickinson and Alasdair Strokosch (is he really a Scot??)

It’s an evening match in January against London Wasps; probably freezing cold but hopefully a great atmosphere, especially under floodlights.

But as I am only familiar with those football hooligan types from St Mary’s, can anyone offer me any advice on rugby supporter etiquette?

Easy ! Go along, take part in the banter - and enjoy yourself.

Tibbie Dunbar wrote:
can anyone offer me any advice on rugby supporter etiquette?

Hi Tibbie,

Take a hip-flask filled with your tipple. When your side scores offer it to the nearest supporter of the opposition. They will usually do the same in return.
In a Scotland - France game years ago I got completely blootered on cognac thanks to a friendly bunch of Frenchmen. It was the debut of Tomas Castaignede, who scored a multitude of tries when he woke up.

Hi TLJ, dws,
Sound advice! A wee tipple on a cold January night could be just the thing although those West Country lads do go a bit wild after a few jars of scrumpy…I hope I won’t be expected to join in...

Had a brilliant day at the Gloucester v London Wasps match yesterday – a tight game which Gloucester won by just one point! Met some really nice people as we stood in the Shed - they were delighted that we had travelled up from Winchester to watch their team. Proudly gave us the history of the club, the low-down on their sworn enemy Bath and explained some of the finer points and decisions of the game. They also made sure I got a decent view and no one seemed to mind moving around a bit.

It was great to see some of the international players that I had heard of Tindall, Lewsey, Vickery and Dallaglio who, for some reason received lots of ‘ee-aws’ from the Gloucester fans whenever he was involved in anything! Of the Scots, only Lawson played with Strokosch on for just ten minutes, nevertherless great fun and I’ll certainly be looking to go to another match soon.