The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub, Ealing Broadway

Hello and welcome to the Virtual Rugby Pub, a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The pub has made its way back to London where the victorious British & Irish Lions squad will start their 25 day open bus journey across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland -  being greeted by millions of happy, proud, delirious, tipsy and slightly sunburned rugby fans.

So grab a beer, cider, whiskey or wine.... or a warm beverage and sit back and enjoy their well-earned procession through the streets where it all began.

                     

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no tampering with the pictures of the legendary
Warren Gatland, Sam Warburton, Alex Corbisiero, Jonathan Sexton, George North, Jamie Roberts and Richie Gray. 

last Pawb: https://www.606v2.com/t44519-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub-ballycastle-bar-hong-kong

Will Gatty be on the open bus when it goes through Ireland LB?

Maybe they'll use his body double or some effigy in certain parts... I don't know. Forgive and forget I say.

In other news New Zealand blitzed Italy by over 5 minutes in the first race of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

25 days?

I read just now in the Observer/Guardian that it will be announced on Wednesday that the HC/Amlin will take place in Cardiff next May. Anybody know anything about this?

Glas a du wrote:25 days?

 Do you want it longer or shorter? There's a fair bit of territory to cover.

perthshirepuma wrote:I read just now in the Observer/Guardian that it will be announced on Wednesday that the HC/Amlin will take place in Cardiff next May. Anybody know anything about this?

http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2012-13/rugby/story/190541.html

Yes if they go to every blydi town! I would have thought London, Leicester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Limerick, Swansea and Cardiff would be more than enough. 4 days max.

I spent a fair bit of time in Ealing Broadway. Used to be a Berni Inn (remember them) next to the tube station.

Glas a du wrote:Yes if they go to every blydi town! I would have thought London, Leicester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Limerick, Swansea and Cardiff would be more than enough. 4 days max.

 You're in a generous mood.

OK maybe Bristol and Newcastle as well...

I was thinking of Land's End, John o' Groats and Baltimore at the time... hence the extra few days to mingle with the seagulls.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:I spent a fair bit of time in Ealing Broadway. Used to be a Berni Inn (remember them) next to the tube station.

Jayz Jen, myself and MrsG used eat there in the 70's. Thought we were posh back then. Bless. Crusts was another one. It was cool to eat there. And the Red Lion near the common. Used be full of actors from nearby  Ealing Studios.

Hound and I have met for pints there a few times. The Wheatsheaf is his pub. Nice place.

Afternoon All,

About to watch the Dubs go for the Leinster double....get in!!!

It's ruddy hot again here today. I don't want to upset anyone of a nervous disposition but I'm sat in my birthday suit cause it's too hot for anything on. Just sayin'...

Jayz Cari, what do the punters in the pub think of that?  

They've legged it.... 

Dubs doing well so far...nice goal by Flynn.

That's a helluva test match

GOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! Dubs should close this out now.

Sat down to watch the end of the cricket.

Well, that didn't take long.

Are the Aussies up in arms at that decision LB?

 Yay! The Dubs have done the double for the first time since Gibbo left school...

Wow!

First time in 60 years?

Well done the Dubs!

Cari wrote:It's ruddy hot again here today.  I don't want to upset anyone of a nervous disposition but I'm sat in my birthday suit cause it's too hot for anything on.  Just sayin'...

Well I've some boxers on like but you've got the right idea no doubt. I'm getting a lovely breeze right now.

I was in Dublin this last night catching up with friends all night, and then breakfast with my sister and bro-in-law and back for tea- amazing what you can fit in when you don't sleep a wink  

I love this emoticon

 

Any time I'm being the eejit you can just cut me off with a well-placed  

Even I should get the hint!

Having a break in the hay carting and a pint of cider

Mmmmmm cider!

Went for a cycle out to Howth. Listened to the Dubs winning on the radio. now having a poncy Mexican beer.

Did you ever drink in the Kings arms in Ealing. Aul Yougoslavian bloke called Vic used to be the barman. Used to say Kock instead of Coke. we knocked a few jokes out of him.

I used to have a couple of cousins who grew up there. One is in Wellington and the other got killed off a motorbike in India.

Howya folks. I thought the pub had moved to Ealing as the Green Machine will be the first obstacle in Leinster's defence of the B&I Cup. I will be surprised if Leinster don't win convincingly it is a comp that Ealing will not be taking seriously; survival in The Championship being the priority.

Gibbo - The 'sheaf isn't my pub, but I do pop over there for the rugby on TV on quite a few weekends.

We got a pic at the Melbourne test of an Irish flag with 'Kielys of Donnybrook' on it. I think you might know the place

Anyway, 'tis cuffin hot again, though I'm not doing a Cari (as I'm in the pub).

Hound of Harrow wrote:Howya folks. I thought the pub had moved to Ealing as the Green Machine will be the first obstacle in Leinster's defence of the B&I Cup. I will be surprised if Leinster don't win convincingly it is a comp that Ealing will not be taking seriously; survival in The Championship being the priority.

We'll probably some of the lads playing in the British and Irish Cup for Leinster at Ravenhill when they come up for the pre-season friendly- and Ulster for that matter!

I'll see if any of their kids shine and mention it to you  

Its an honour for Leinster to be invited to open the New Ravenhill. Us goys have history together. Its one of the oldest rivalries in World rugby,  but a good one. We opened Old Landsowne together and we also closed it with the Last Stand game. And played together v Munster & Connacht in the re-opening. I think we love each other in a begrudging way.

Rav was going to give me a pre-tour but we didn't have time then.

Gibson wrote:Its an honour for Leinster to be invited to open the New Ravenhill. Us goys have history together. Its one of the oldest rivalries in World rugby,  but a good one. We opened Old Landsowne together and we also closed it with the Last Stand game. And played together v Munster & Connacht in the re-opening. I think we love each other in a begrudging way.

Rav was going to give me a pre-tour but we didn't have time then.

  

Top post but we've got to start winning some more soon! Hammered in a Final in 2011-2012. Narrowly beaten in a Final in 2012-2013. Victorious in a Final in 2013-2014.

The Ulster way is not just a nice walk for a sunday afternoon! Like any worthy foe, there is respect. After we beat them twice in the league last year and blydi nearly nicked the Final I think it runs both ways now.

Its so close between  us now, nowt more than a score. Its good for both of us. Its made us both stronger in Europe.

What I am wondering now is... will the yearly  Munster v Leinster HC prep game in the Celtic/PRO12, also change?  I think Ulster have justified a change. We are 1 and 2 in Ireland beyond doubt. And its getting near the same in Europe. Soo... Just don't tell SIN E or DOD.

I think it would be a positive move for Irish Rugby but Munster fans still traditionally travel in larger numbers and thats probably decisive.

There are a lot more Munster folk living in Dublin than Ulster folk too so that game is always gonna sell better in the NLR.

Notch wrote:

Hound of Harrow wrote:Howya folks. I thought the pub had moved to Ealing as the Green Machine will be the first obstacle in Leinster's defence of the B&I Cup. I will be surprised if Leinster don't win convincingly it is a comp that Ealing will not be taking seriously; survival in The Championship being the priority.

We'll probably some of the lads playing in the British and Irish Cup for Leinster at Ravenhill when they come up for the pre-season friendly- and Ulster for that matter!

I'll see if any of their kids shine and mention it to you  

Cheers Notch

Sure, it won't matter what team Leinster put out. They are all part of
a pro outfit. It is Ealing's first venture into full professionalism and we have already lost two of our better players because we can't pay them what they earn in their day jobs.

We've half a dozen dual registered players (mainly Quins) but I only expect them to feature in the league tbh.

True. They ALL live in Dublin and still moan about it. 

But I could see it being great for business and its only 2 hours down the road. It would grow over time.

Id personally like to see the game being played at a redeveloped RDS (25,000?). But... its all about de geld.

Hound of Harrow wrote:

Notch wrote:

Hound of Harrow wrote:Howya folks. I thought the pub had moved to Ealing as the Green Machine will be the first obstacle in Leinster's defence of the B&I Cup. I will be surprised if Leinster don't win convincingly it is a comp that Ealing will not be taking seriously; survival in The Championship being the priority.

We'll probably some of the lads playing in the British and Irish Cup for Leinster at Ravenhill when they come up for the pre-season friendly- and Ulster for that matter!

I'll see if any of their kids shine and mention it to you  

Cheers Notch

Sure, it won't matter what team Leinster put out. They are all part of
a pro outfit. It is Ealing's first venture into full professionalism and we have already lost two of our better players because we can't pay them what they earn in their day jobs.

We've half a dozen dual registered players (mainly Quins) but I only expect them to feature in the league tbh.

Love to see them do well Hound. Just survive the 1st year and then stabilise. Could they be the new Exeter over time? If the will is there... and the investment, who knows? Exeter are a great model for any small club with ambition.  Any rich Sugar-Daddies at Ealing?

Gibbo - Trailfinders are the main sponsors and we play at the Trailfinders Sports Ground. This is a huge leap for the club and they definitely can't afford their own ground. That has been a major factor in Exeter building what they have and becoming a top 6 team in the Prem.

Never seen this before... Looks great.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO2Dd4PuQZA

http://www.coybib.com/coybib-exclusive-rds-redevelopment-plans/

I see Rav left a comment... 23,000 all-seater proposed? Must save some terracing.  Anyway, its not the final plan. Its still a draft.

Hound of Harrow wrote:Gibbo - Trailfinders are the main sponsors and we play at the Trailfinders Sports Ground. This is a huge leap for the club and they definitely can't afford their own ground. That has been a major factor in Exeter building what they have and becoming a top 6 team in the Prem.

Leinster signed a 20 year lease with the RDS back in 2008. I was pished off at the time, but I love it now. Its Home. Its not owned by us, but if we invest in its redevelopment, we will have more say in future negotiations.   Leasing is ok if the deal and agreement is solid. Look what owning Thomand Park has done to Munster. It has them crippled financially.

Leinster would not be paying for the upgrade of the RDS. the society themselves would finance it. Looks like they would sell naming rights to do it.

Will be up for the Ulster game. Should be interesting. I normally stay with a mate in bangor.

Ealing are in Dublin in the 1st round in October. Baptism of fire away to the comp champs. could be the crack.

None of the people I knew in Ealing could spell Rugby. My cousin can now because he lives in NZ and has no choice.

He is a dyed in the wool Brentford supporter though.

Henley's vintage still cider. What a cracking way to finish this year's hay harvest. Every summer was like this when I was a boy

I have been a Bees fan since 1977. Only ground in England with a pub  on each corner,  in my day. I lived not 300 metres from the ground.  Alway look out for them.

Ja Jen, I've since  read that the RDS  are looking for sponsors for the redevelopment.  17 mill. Cheap as chups.

As long is its not the Coca-Cola, Burgerking or McD Stadium.  I don't think I could quite handle that. The Brown Thomas Emporium. That would do.  

Never knew Rovers used it for a few years. Bring back Milltown. It was the best soccer ground in Ireland

Buenas tardes, amigos! Anybody know best place to get transistor radios? (don't snigger, I like a radio I can take outside with no wires, no connectivity hassle). Yeah,it's old technology, but it works! 1

Evening all.....I'll crawl into this corner for a nap....knackered.com

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Leinster would not be paying for the upgrade of the RDS. the society themselves would finance it. Looks like they would sell naming rights to do it.

Will be up for the Ulster game. Should be interesting. I normally stay with a mate in bangor.

Ealing are in Dublin in the 1st round in October. Baptism of fire away to the comp champs. could be the crack.

None of the people I knew in Ealing could spell Rugby. My cousin can now because he lives in NZ and has no choice.

He is a dyed in the wool Brentford supporter though.

I'm on the promenade but I'd be tempted to see if we can get into the end stands just to see what its like- our season tickets are for the prom though so curiosity will probably not trump value. Why pay for it again?

Bore da pawb / good morning all, happy Monday!

Blimey O'Crikey it was warm on the weekend. We took the dog to the beach early on Saturday - she had a blast - but it was already sweltering when we walked back to the car at half eleven. Then yesterday it was Sunday lunch at my dad's: me, my dad, three sisters, three brothers-in-law, three nieces and a nephew in the kitchen, with two fans going (to little effect), eating hot, hot food. Marvellous.  

Alright Luckster...Twas hot yesterday. Spent yesterday slowly cooking up Bonymaen rugby club at a kids football tournament ( we lost in the final ) Got a treat when one of the red arrows screamed over the pitch at about 100ft! Followed by a Lancaster a bit later. Glorious old bird....

A few of them around Bonymaen...oh...the plane...

They were out in force over the wkend Glas...Big ol units getting redder by the minute, husband in tow, can of bow in one hand. Poor kid strapped in the buggy...

Lucky bar stewards, I had to work for my cider...

This is just for fun; https://www.606v2.com/t46476-how-many-countries-have-you-seen-in-test-rugby#2191716