London Sevens

In October and March Twickenham hosts the Investec internationals and the 6Nations. The stadium is often chilly grey and somewhat of a stale atmosphere and this is the case whether the red rose are winning or losing. It's a tough arena for teams to go and win and very special for all who attend. However, the numbers of wax jackets and farmers caps, worn by a privileged few, who have forked out the highest prices in world rugby don't produce the wildest of modern sporting atmospheres.

Shall we flash forward a few months...

Twickenham in May, a week before the premiership final, Twickenham takes on a different guise and for two days as the sun beats down on TW1. Supporters of 16 Nations descend on Rugby Road and suddenly the stale autumnal colours are replaced with the colours of Kenya, Portugal, Canada, USA and the usual powers of world rugby. The London Sevens. leg of the IRB World Sevens Series rolls into town and for two days Twickenham rocks like no other time of the year with seats are cheap at only £10 for the whole day, the old stadium is expecting 100,000 supporters across the weekend supporting their flyers from around the globe.

The 7s series is famous for people enjoying a beer or two but London Sevens is more than that, from groups of people dressed as Doctors, Nurses, animals, and of course this year more than ever Superheroes it certainly does not feel like the standard trip out at Twickenham. For one weekend of the year, the South Stand is akin to its famous brother in HK as the volume grows to a crescendo as the finals take place on the Sunday evening.

With tens of thousands of fans from all around the world taking in the rugby as one, sharing a beer and burger as friends of the game of rugby, dressed in fancy dress, singing local songs and enjoying a style of rugby that certainly hasn't been seen at HQ for a few years in the 15s game.

For just one weekend of the year, put to one side what you think about Twickenham, don't think of old committee members snacking on crudities and sipping red wine in the west car park with gloves and scarves, consider that the sun will be shining and the Olympic sport of Rugby 7s takes centre stage in the globes most famous rugby stadium and for a weekend take in noise, colour and of course the worlds best rugby sevens protagonists at the IRB London Sevens. (May 22nd/23rd)