London - Twickenham Capacity: 76,000)

Saturday 14 February 2004 01:00 GMT
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There are plans for "Fortress Twickenham" to get a new south stand within two years to create a stadium with a capacity of 82,000.

There are plans for "Fortress Twickenham" to get a new south stand within two years to create a stadium with a capacity of 82,000.

Tel: 020 8892 2000

Website: www.rfu.com

HOW TO GET THERE: Although there are a number of extra match-day trains laid on between Waterloo in central London and Twickenham, expect a long wait at Twickenham station after a Six Nations match. Other stations within a 20 minute walk of the ground include St Margaret's, Whitton and Hounslow. Richmond tube station is easily reached from central London on the District line with shuttle buses to the ground on match days. Twickenham Rugby Ground is situated close to the M3, M4 and M25 (exit at junction 11 onto the M3) motorways.

WHERE TO STAY

Richmond Gate Hotel: (152-158 Richmond Hill, Tel: 0845 602 6787) Rates from £138. Well located at the top of Richmond Hill with the ambience of a country house.

The Dukes Head Inn:

(42 The Vineyard, Richmond. Tel: 020 8948 4557) Rates from £70.

Traditional English style inn in a quiet residential area.

WHERE TO DRINK

The Cabbage Patch, the Albany and the Rugby Tavern near Twickenham station become impossibly busy on match days. If you don't mind queuing four deep for your pint and having it served in a plastic glass, you could try one of these. Alternatively, sample the Orange Tree (45 Kew Road, Richmond), outside Richmond underground station. Then, move on to the Sun (17 Parkshot, Richmond), Jason Leonard's local. Follow this with a leisurely drink next to the river at the White Cross (Riverside, Water Lane, Richmond), before finishing your careful pre-match build up by ambling over the bridge and walking to the ground in about half an hour via the Prince Albert (30 Hampton Road, Twickenham).

WHERE TO EAT

Monsieur Max: (133 High Street, Hampton Hill, Tel: 020 8979 5546) Outstanding French cuisine in this upmarket brasserie in Hampton Hill - a short bus ride away from Twickenham.

Brula: (43 Crown Rd, Twickenham, TW1 3EJ, Tel: 020 8892 0602) Cheap but notably tasty bistro cooking.

McClements: (2 Whitton Road, Twickenham, TW1, Tel: 020 8744 9610): Expensive and formal but excellent food in what has become a well-established Twickenham fixture.

Twickenham Tandoori: (33 Church Street, Twickenham, TW1 3NR, Tel: 020 8892 6973) Classic and reliable tandoori.

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