| The eagerly-awaited Rugby World Cup kicks off on | | | | full experience you'll have to base yourself in France; |
| Friday, 7th September when hosts France take on | | | | and if you intend to travel throughout the country to |
| fast-improving Argentina at the Stade de France in | | | | see the games you'll need to consider how you are |
| Paris. The mood in France is that they are hoping to | | | | going to get from venue to venue. |
| repeat the surprise win that their football cousins | | | | But, whether you wish to avidly follow one particular |
| managed at the soccer World Cup in 1998. But, win | | | | team or you just fancy a trip to the World Cup to |
| or lose, the French are working very hard to ensure | | | | experience the atmosphere and take in some top |
| that all visiting rugby fans will be made warmly | | | | quality rugby then you need to get organised now. If |
| welcome as they aim to impress with their | | | | you are planning to take in some games, securing car |
| tournament organisation and general hospitality. | | | | rental during the rugby world cup will probably be the |
| Defending world champions England will be hoping to | | | | last thing on your mind as you consider how your |
| put recent dismal performances behind them and turn | | | | team will perform, where you are going to stay and |
| on the style for the competition which sees them in | | | | how many Euros to take; but it will get ever more |
| a qualifying pool pitted against Samoa, Tonga, USA | | | | difficult to secure last minute car rental in France in |
| and the mighty South Africa. However, the bookies | | | | an area where games are being played in the latter |
| think the team doesn't have a hope quoting England | | | | stages of the competition. So, if you are thinking of |
| at 28-1 to repeat their 2003 triumph and making | | | | attending games you should try to organise your car |
| them sixth favourites for the trophy. New Zealand | | | | hire for the Rugby World Cup as far as possible in |
| are runaway odds-on favourites to be the eventual | | | | advance. |
| tournament victors, with South Africa second | | | | Securing car hire in France is relatively simple and can |
| favourites but way behind in the betting at 13/2. | | | | be done online or by phone before leaving the UK, |
| The other home country representatives Wales and | | | | however getting reasonably priced accommodation at |
| Scotland are even less fancied than England and | | | | some of the more popular venues may prove |
| considered real long shots, but Ireland fare better - | | | | relatively challenging as many hotels were booked up |
| one spot above England in the pre-tournament | | | | months ago. With over 10,000 campsites in France |
| betting. Recent performances from both Wales and | | | | the ideal solution may well be to pack a tent and |
| Scotland have been poor and, like England, still have | | | | benefit from the flexibility of being able to pitch up |
| much to do to win over their own fans. | | | | within a reasonable distance from the major venues. |
| Despite the tournament being nominally based in | | | | Whether you travel to the World Cup in the UK or |
| France some of the games are to be played in | | | | France, or just watch it on the box, it promises to be |
| Cardiff and Edinburgh, giving British rugby fans the | | | | a fantastic tournament, and you never know the |
| opportunity to sample the thrill of the World Cup | | | | bookies just might have it all wrong. |
| without travelling abroad. However, if you want the | | | | |