Rugby Fixture

Today was our first time on the Dart. It was a short and intense ride for the tram was packed tight with rugby fans. Everyone was going to catch the first rugby fixture at the Aviva Stadium. Four years ago, the former Lansdowne Road was demolished. To mark the opening of the new stadium, the first game to be played was between two composite provincial rugby teams, a Leinster/Ulster selection against a Munster/Connacht team in front of 35 000 fans.

I had bought tickets back in June as soon as they went on sale. I had to order twice since I could only get a maximum of four at one time, but us being a family of five made things a little bit more complicated. So, I ordered three tickets at first. Then, on the second order, I needed only two. At checkout time, my credit card was rejected: only one order by card! We got them tix when Rachel stepped up with her own plastic card. Thinking that the delivery would be ASAP, I had registered our home address in Kingston. I thought they would reach us before we left town for the year, but no! I emailed the IRFU asking to mail the orders to our address in Dublin, only one made it! The other one was sent to Canada. Quick on his pen, Tim saved the day, using a 'Hail Mary' air mail pass across the Atlantic Ocean.

It was well worth the wait and complications. We were basically on the pitch: Row A, behind the in-goal area, merely ten feet from the dead ball line. The view was great except for the professional photographers kneeling just in front of us.

As for the game itself, it was a lopsided win for Leinster/Ulster 68 to nil. Leinster/Ulster's strategy seemed to be relying on possession and the use of quick passes. Their captain Luke Marshall really stood out as a most valuable player. We got to see several tries in the second half from up close. Alexi especially enjoyed seeing and being part of the wave. We snapped some great pictures that we'll share with you all.

Bye for now!