Table of Contents
There is a very good reason why Rome is almost always the first away trip to sell out in a Six Nations year. It isn’t just about the 80 minutes of rugby; it’s about the Dolce Vita.
Swapping the unpredictable, often freezing drizzle of a British February or March for the crisp, bright spring sunshine of the Italian capital is an incredibly easy sell. Add in the world’s best food, three millennia of history, and a rugby culture that treats opposition fans like honored guests, and you have the recipe for the perfect sporting weekend.
But navigating the Eternal City on a match weekend can be a contact sport if you don’t know what you are doing. From falling into expensive tourist-trap restaurants to misjudging the logistics of getting to the mighty Stadio Olimpico, local knowledge is the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one.
To help you plan your trip for Italy vs. England (Saturday, March 7, 2026), we sat down with Venatour co-founder, British & Irish Lion, and England rugby legend Gareth “Cooch” Chilcott to get his golden rules for doing Rome the right way.
Here is the “Chilcott Guide” to the perfect Roman rugby weekend.
Cooch’s Rule on Food: “Eat Lunch Like a Roman”
“The biggest mistake I see British fans make when they travel is trying to treat Rome like London or Cardiff,” says Cooch. “They look for a quick, cheap sandwich to grab on the run before the game. You’re in Italy! The food is half the reason you booked the flight. Food here is the main event.”
In Rome, a pre-match lunch isn’t a pit stop; it’s a ritual. Cooch’s advice is to completely avoid the main tourist arteries. Skip the overpriced places with laminated menus featuring photos of lasagne in the window near the Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps.
Instead, head across the river to the bohemian district of Trastevere, or slightly further south to Testaccio, the historic heart of working-class Roman cuisine.
- The Order: Don’t overcomplicate it. The Romans are masters of doing a few simple ingredients perfectly. Order a Cacio e Pepe (a sublime mix of pecorino cheese and black pepper) or a traditional Carbonara. “And for heaven’s sake,” Cooch laughs, “don’t ask the waiter for cream in your Carbonara, or they might legitimately deport you.”
- The Timing: The 2026 fixture kicks off in the late afternoon (approximately 4:45 PM local time). This schedule is an absolute gift. It allows you to sit down for a long, lazy lunch at 1:00 PM, wash it down with a carafe of the house red wine, and still have plenty of time to head to the stadium without rushing.
Getting to the Ground: The “Tram Trick”
The Stadio Olimpico is a magnificent, colossal arena, but it is located in the Foro Italico sports complex, which is a fair trek north of the historic city center.
On match day, taxis are like gold dust, and those you do find often get stuck in gridlock traffic hours before kick-off. Navigating the bus system can also be confusing for first-timers.
The Venatour Tip: Do as the savvy locals do. Take the Number 2 Tram from Piazzale Flaminio (located just outside the famous Piazza del Popolo at the top of Via del Corso). It’s a cheap, direct route that drops you at Piazza Mancini, just across the river from the stadium.
“I absolutely love the walk from that tram stop,” Cooch says. “You cross the River Tiber via the Ponte Duca d’Aosta bridge, and the stadium just looms up in front of you, flanked by these massive marble statues. You’re surrounded by thousands of Italian fans and England fans walking shoulder to shoulder. The smell of the porchetta vans hits you… the atmosphere just builds and builds with every step.”
The “Peroni Village” Factor
If you are used to Twickenham or Murrayfield, where fans often scatter to dozens of different pubs miles away from the ground before the match, Rome will be a pleasant surprise. The Italians prefer to keep the party on-site.
The Peroni Village (often referred to as the Terzo Tempo or Third Half area), located right outside the gates of the Stadio Olimpico, is legendary in Six Nations circles.
“It is, without a doubt, the best warm-up and warm-down in the championship,” Cooch explains. “They have DJ sets, live bands, and huge outdoor bars serving cold beer. But the absolute best part is the complete lack of segregation. You’ll be standing there in your England jersey, and an Italian fan will turn around and hand you a slice of pizza or buy you a pint. There is zero hostility. It feels like a massive, international rugby festival rather than a tribal battle.”
