CONFIRMED: Twickenham the latest stadium to join fight against Coronavirus
Rugby NewsSaturday, 18 April 2020 at 21:38
Twickenham has become the latest major sports stadium to be given a role in the fight against the coronavirus.
The headquarters of English rugby union will play host to a drive-through coronavirus testing facility that is part of the British government's nationwide effort to increase testing for thousands more National Health Service staff and other key workers.
It will operate on an appointment-only basis for those specific groups of workers, with the facility running as a pilot scheme for its first few days of operation.
The RFU was “pleased to be able to support the COVID-19 drive-through testing programme”, said chief executive Bill Sweeney.
“We receive tremendous support from frontline services during match days at Twickenham and we are grateful for the opportunity to be able to support key workers during this severe national crisis with the use of our site and staff to support operationally,” he added.
So far, 32 testing sites have been opened across the country, with the aim of providing additional swab tests which can identify if someone has the virus.
Six Nations captains ranked by how much fun they’d be on a night out
What does the Six Nations and British Pubs have in common?
Well, sadly, they're both shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic and it remains to be seen when either live rugby or enjoying a pint with your mates will be back on the table.
Inspired by an article from Give Me Sport, we rank them from 6-1.
6. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
This is why pubs have coffee machines now. Strap yourselves in for some quiet chats around a cappuccino that you just have to imagine real hard is an Irish coffee. Persuade Johnny to the club and he’ll tell the DJ to ‘turn the music down’, before dialling a noise complaint to the police.
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
The type of guy to see his mate throwing up against a wall, run over to give him an emotional team talk and applaud him for showing 'great character' when they miraculously make it past the bouncer again. Sets a strict 2am curfew and sticks to it every single time.
Alun Wyn Jones, Captain of Wales Rugby tells his players to remain focused during the Guinness Six Nations Championship match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
4. Charles Ollivon (France)
Classy cocktail bars only. A night out with the French skipper involves talking about literature and the economy while sipping Old Fashioned cocktails that get you leathered but, somehow, seem to have no effect on him. An amazing evening overall.
3. Owen Farrell
A few pints in he convinces you to head to the local rock bar as a mosh pit isn’t a mosh pit until Farrell bulldozes in with no arms. After starting hard, he'll be purchasing glasses of clear liquid by 2am that you know is water, but he insists is vodka with flat lemonade.
Owen Farrell, Captain of England Rugby gets very vocal during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 16th March 2019. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK.
2. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Prepare for hour-long lectures on the new, organic, indie pale ales he’s drinking that are ‘changing the game’. That, and deep heart-to-heart chats by the third pint which are strangely aggressive. Gives you the best night out of your life without you even knowing how he managed it.
1. Luca Bigi
You could take Luca to the dingiest club in town and he’ll still order a glass of red wine, just to stand in the corner like a classy motherf*****. There might be students wading about in their own sick, but Luca will still look as though he’s stood in a Dolce and Gabbana ad. An absolute chick magnet.
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
Loading
