Emily Robinson’s RWC 2025 Guide to Brighton & Hove

Emily Robinson will never forget Rugby World Cup 2015 (see below for more..) and now a decade later the biggest show in town is back in her hometown.

The former Harlequins back-rower, now playing for Exeter Chiefs in the PWR, could not be more excited.

With her sister Flo pushing for a place in England's squad, and with tickets secured for both England v Australia (6 September) and New Zealand v Ireland (7 September), Robinson is more than happy to guide you round Brighton and Hove:

Accustomed to hosting iconic RWC matches:

It’s nice to know it’s (the Rugby World Cup) coming back to Brighton, giving access to all the young kids that want to watch rugby and experience it like I did for the (men's) World Cup in 2015. I was 15 then and we went with my whole family and my brother’s rugby team. We went to the other game (Samoa versus USA in the pool stage of Rugby World Cup 2015). We were a bit gutted we didn’t get the famous Japan-South Africa match (which Japan won 34-32). But it was a really good day.

Getting to and from the stadium:

Getting the train is definitely the best way. And the good thing about getting the train to the stadium from Brighton is you are in North Laine. It's the best spot to get a coffee, have a look at some shops.

Eating and drinking pre-match:

One of the more famous restaurants is Donatello, a really nice independent Italian restaurant. That's in South Laine.

Then if you're venturing a little bit further out to the seafront, The Regency is a really good fish restaurant. That was our family restaurant growing up. Whatever occasions we had, we would always go to The Regency. It's just really nice, family-run restaurant, really good food. It’s by the I360 (glass viewing pod) and the Bandstand. So, if you're having a little look around there, it's the perfect spot to pop into.

Post-match party plans:

Train back to Brighton station. You’ve got a lot of pubs and bars within the arches on the Promenade. It’s pretty cool, especially in the summer when you can enjoy it into the evening and it’s still light.

Then there’s quite a few smaller, more intimate place in the Lanes, if you are looking for that kind of vibe. Kenny’s Rock and Soul Cafe in North Laine. Whatever you stumble across, there's loads of really good independent restaurants and bars. I’m a big fan.

Where to watch RWC 2025 matches on TV:

The Font is a really good place. It's got different screens downstairs, and then you can go upstairs with pool tables. And it's right by the Pavilion, a really good spot. And, once you are there, you are right in the middle, in the buzz. We went there with Quins (her former rugby club, Harlequins). I was 18 and it was a baptism of fire. It was a pre-season weekend. We had a dip in the sea and a night out. It was really cool.

Must-visit community rugby clubs:

Brighton Rugby Club is a little bit further out, within the (South) Downs (range of hills). A really nice setting. A bit far from the train, you’d need a car.

Slightly smaller is Hove Rugby Club, in the middle of Hove. It’s in a park. You can go any day of the week and kick a ball around. It’s where I spent a lot of time. It’s really friendly. And when I was younger, it had a women's team, which was almost unheard of. So, that was always cool.

Top tips for visitors:

Definitely getting down to the sea. There’s quite a few different spots to go. If you are looking for somewhere your kids can play and a bit more of a chill vibe, go to the Hove end. You've got a really nice cafe called Marocco’s. They do their own ice cream.

And if you’re looking to have a laugh, and you're single, or you're in your 20s, probably the Brighton end is more suited. With all the bars and the cafes on the Promenade.

Then, the top place to go is the Laines. I really like vintage shops, vintage jewellery shops and the best places I’ve been are there. Snoopers Paradise (indoor flea market) is retro and vintage, really cool.

It’s a city that loves sport and art. It’s embedded in the city. There's just a lot happening, and a big buzz. So, it feels like a big occasion when you watch sport there.

Impact RWC 2025 can have on Brighton & Hove:

You saw it with the Women's Euros (football Championships in 2022) and how the Lionesses took off. Having a big tournament like the World Cup here will hopefully do the same for rugby. It kind of needs that final push.

I've luckily got tickets to quite a few games, so I'm just excited to go and watch. And, you know, being in the crowd and thinking, ‘God, we would never have had this when I was younger’. Sometimes you have those real moments where you think, ‘wow, the game's taken a really big step forwards’. To feel like you're kind of part of that will feel really special.

Click here to read article