Double sporting treat this weekend

Oct 20 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL is gearing up for the Rugby World Cup final tonight, with thousands of fans expected to watch the match in city centre bars and pubs.

Fans across Merseyside are preparing for the England v South Africa game, which will be beamed live from Paris to widescreen sets in the region.

But there is the added attraction – and some might argue, the main attraction – of the Everton v Liverpool derby earlier in the day.

Paul Flanagan, who co-owns the Cafe Sports England with Liverpool star Jamie Carragher, said: “The atmosphere will be fantastic – we are booked out for the whole day.

“The derby is on in the afternoon, and then the rugby, so we imagine people will stay on for both.

“We have also got Lee Butler DJ-ing and mixing classic England and rugby songs to add to the excitement.

“All the fans will obviously be hoping for a win, who knows what will happen?”

Walkabout in Concert Square will also be showing the match, and staff at the Cafe Sports England on Stanley Street will be adorning England colours and face paint.

Walkabout deputy manager Mark Hansen, said: “We are expecting big numbers and if they do win, the party afterwards will be great.”

Pupils at Merchant Taylors’ School in Crosby can’t wait to watch former pupil and England rugby star Ben Kay.

School spokeswoman Michaela Riches said: “It was the last day of term and the children were very excited about the final.

“Many were planning to watch it in groups and all will be cheering on Ben and the team.”

Although South Africa fans will be outnumbered in Merseyside, they are planning to mark the occasion in style.

Sports fan Jaques Botha, 29, who now lives in Anfield but hails from Johannesburg said: “I am definitely going out to watch the final, it should be nail-biting stuff.

“I am quite scared though, the way England have been playing.

“They are unpredictable and if we are not at our best we could lose.

“I really like living in Liverpool but I think I will be severely outnumbered during the game!”

RUGBY: PAGES 26-27;

DERBY: PAGES 30-36

lizawilliams