This sporting weekend – rugby’s big in Japan

There are those with round balls and those with oval balls. And you’re born either one or the other…. a rugby or a football fan.

The good news is that you can change as an adult.

My Dear Old Dad was a young footballer of some ability. He played in the Scottish Schools Final at Hampden and later got offered professional terms.

But he decided to doctor instead.

And when he went up in the world he sent his boys to fee-paying schools which meant we played rugby and not football.

I enjoyed it for a while and would go to the Scotland matches at Murrayfield.

Until l turned my attentions to running, my wiry frame not cut out for the crunching game of egg-chasing.

My passion for football was reignited (my Dad, in fairness, never really lost his love for the game) when I went to University and took up social five-a-side.

And it’s never left me since, developing into an honest stopper, and a sports journalist to boot for half of my career.

So where does this take us in Travel?

Well, sports fans plan their time off around major sporting events, the annual seasons, but also the big competitions.

It’s rugby’s big year with the World Cup next month. And those who are going will have worked out their travel plans by now.

But if like me you’re at home when they set the atmosphere with pieces on the country then let bespoke specialists Hayes & Jarvis take you.

Visit http://www.hayesandjarvis.ie (01) 513 6063.

Tokyo is where the final is, and living in Ireland I am duty bound to say that they will be there, although I will vainly hope that Scotland can forget they are Scotland and win some games.

Tokyo, I’m reliably informed by my Japanese friend in Scotland is a fashion and shopping haven.

It has spectacular cityscapes, such as the historic Shibuya intersection. And why not transfer by bullet train to the ancient imperial capital city of Kyoto?

H&J’s Tokyo and Kyoto ten-day Multi Centre itinerary will include return flights from Heathrow to Tokyo. And an overnight tour of Hakone and Mount Fuji.

I’ve got my personalised Hayes & Jarvis passport ready… I take it everywhere with me.

And don’t forget to check out your Holiday Snaps’ passport to the world… your weekend noticeboard of all the best offers home and abroad. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/08/10/holiday-snaps-save-money-on-italy/

MEET YOU ON A SPORTING FIELD