Sunday 11^th August saw the 2019 Rugby World Cup warm up matches kick off with a great game between England and Wales. England were victorious, coming away 33-19, meaning Eddie Jones’ side and put an end to Wales’ 14-match winning streak and giving the England supporters plenty of reason to celebrate in the Champagne Bollinger tent after the match.

A fantastic start for England which puts them in good stead for the next warm up which will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on the 17^th August. This is certain to be a sterner test and the Welsh team will be keen to pull it back to one all before September. England’s warm up matches will continue with a game against Ireland at Twickenham and then against Italy in St James’ Park, Newcastle before the tournament starts proper.

Sadly our team and guests pre-game warm-up was not held in the Cardinal Vaughan Car Park as is the norm but just down the road from the stadium. Guests were treated to Bollinger Special Cuvée on their welcome, after all what match-day experience at Twickenham would be complete without it, along side a range of wines from the Mentzendorff portfolio.

The first match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday September 20 with the hosts Japan taking on Russia. England’s first game in the Pool stages will be on the 22^nd against Tonga and Eddie Jones’ side will be keen to start as they mean to go on but will face some stiff competition from the team from the South Pacific.

The opening stage of the Rugby World Cup will see 20 teams attempt to battle their way out of four Pools. Each contains five teams with only two advancing into the knockout rounds. England’s Pool is somewhat tricky having been drawn along with Argentina and France. This means at least one upset with one of the tournaments bigger teams set to suffer the ignominy of heading home early. Something England will remember all too well having experienced it at their home World Cup in 2015, the first host nation to ever have done so.

Last week also saw some of the Mentzendorff team travell to Twickenham for the Rugby Players Association Dinner in aid of Try For Change. Try for Change aims to improve the lives of marginalised and disadvantaged people in England and across the world through projects and programmes using rugby and its core values for positive change. As the Official Champagne of England Rugby the evening naturally started with Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée being served on the hallowed turf at Twickenham. A dinner with the England Squad and auction followed which included a special Mathusalem of Special Cuvée signed by the England team with the proceeds going to help continue the great work at Try For Change!