The wait is finally over! Since the 2019 edition we have long been anticipating Rugby World Cup 2023 and the opening weekend in Marseille did not disappoint – a rampant atmosphere, a drop-goal exhibition, red card controversy and a right rough-and-tumble game of rugby.

My name is Cameron, and I am part of Gullivers Sports Travel’s marketing department, meaning I am usually creating content from behind a desk, so I was ecstatic to be a part of the 10th edition of the World Cup in France. I have been a part of many Six Nations and Formula 1 Gullivers Sports Travel tours in the past, but something about this trip felt extra special. Having worked on our Rugby World Cup 2023 packages since joining Gullivers in 2020, meant that finally heading out to experience the World Cup felt surreal.

Bienvenue à Marseille

Friday morning, I travelled to Marseille from Birmingham via Gullivers’ private charter flight which was fantastic. The only passengers on board were Gullivers Sports Travel Tour Managers and clients, meaning the plane was packed with rugby fans fired-up for an action-packed weekend of rugby. Once in sunny Marseille, clients were taken via a coach transfer to their hotel where they were able to check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

The Old Port has been the pulsating heart of the Phocaean City for centuries, and it provided everyone with a vibrant hotspot to spend the evening and watch the Rugby World Cup opening fixture, France v New Zealand. A warm summer breeze, good food and drink, combined with a home victory for Les Bleus, resulted in a festival atmosphere unmatched by very few other events I had experienced.

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Time for Some Sightseeing

The following morning, I met clients at their hotel to provide them with information about getting to the stadium, accessibility of the Stade Vélodrome, our Clubhouse event and what to explore in Marseille. Excitement was high, especially as most clients had tickets to both the England and Scotland game.

The late kick-off time 21:00 (CEST) meant, that clients had plenty of time to discover France’s third-biggest metropolis and even hop on “Le Little Train tour”: A small train in the heart of Old Marseille that allows you to explore the streets of Le Panier, the Old Port, up to the Bonne Mère.

Gullivers’ Clubhouse: The Perfect Pre-match Warm-up

Clients who had gotten hold of tickets to the Gullivers’ Clubhouse event were collected in the late afternoon and taken to SportBeach, a stylish beach club located in the south neighbourhood of Marseille. With many clients in attendance, drinks in full flow and guest speakers Simon Shaw MBE (former English rugby union player with 71 caps) and Jean de Villiers (former South African rugby union player with 109 caps) providing amusing stories, the Clubhouse was the perfect warm-up to get everyone ready and willing for the match.

England v Argentina

The Stade Vélodrome was just a stone’s throw away from the beach club. English and Argentinian fans had gathered in their thousands, making their way to the stadium singing and chanting in good spirit.

The atmosphere was electric and inside the stadium it was incredible! I have not heard England fans like that ever. Even after two and a half minutes when Tom Curry got sent off the fans were so loud.

The talking point of the match was George Ford. He was a colossus in kicking his penalties and landing his drop-goals. I don’t think any Englishman has ever kept a scoreboard ticking over in a World Cup game quite like George Ford did at the Velodrome. Despite being down in numbers for all bar a few minutes, it was incredible to watch Ford orchestrate the game like he did and score all 27 points, winning England the game.

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South Africa v Scotland

On Sunday, I had time to wander down to the Old Port where thousands of fans turned Marseille into a sea of blue, wearing kilts and bunnets to light up the Mediterranean city. I believe French fans had also adopted Scotland as their second team as locals were chanting the name of the talisman Finn Russell.

Once again, the Stade Vélodrome was bouncing. A breathless first half ended 6-3 to South Africa with a last gasp penalty from Finn Russell. Unfortunately for the Scots, South Africa were clinical and ruthless in the second half. They shut down Scotland's attack, dismantled Scotland's lineout and ate into Scotland's scrum. Watching Finn Russell trying to make something happen was tough and he must have felt like he was playing in a maze – a bewildering series of dead ends and exits blocked by the massive presence of the Springboks who saw out the game 18:3.

Au Revoir Marseille

Monday morning seemed to come round rapidly. It was lovely to reconvene with clients again and discuss what had unfolded throughout the weekend. There was a lot of chat about the incredible games and how special it was to have been a part of history at the Rugby World Cup 2023 opening weekend in Marseille. Many clients were coming back to France for the knockout stages of the tournament. I’m most definitely looking forward to returning in October when I travel out to Nantes for the Wales v Georgia fixture.

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