Exeter firms 'excited' for Rugby World Cup

Businesses in Exeter are "excited" the Women's Rugby World Cup is coming to the city, according to business leaders.

The city is one of eight host cities, with seven games due to take place at Exeter Chiefs' Sandy Park stadium, including two quarter finals.

Nicola Wheeler, CEO of InExeter, the city's business improvement district, said firms were looking forward to a "busy time" and hoped the fixtures would showcase Exeter on "the world stage".

"To have strong women really inspiring and motivating the next generation of women and girls is just fantastic," she said.

Publican Adam Holland said: "We're really looking forward to this World Cup, the teams we're going to see are going to be great - it's an international affair."

His pub, the Blue Ball Inn, is the closest to the stadium so he is expecting a lot of additional footfall.

Mr Holland said he was already "having to turn people away" before and after Saturday's opening match, and expected double his normal trade for the time of year.

"You've got Japan, you've got New Zealand, you've got all these great teams."

Exeter's first game is Pool D: France v Italy (20:15), Sandy Park, and can be watched and followed on iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app.

Councillor Philip Bialyk, leader of Exeter Council, said he was "very proud" of the city's involvement.

He said he hoped supporters travelling to Exeter for the first time would realise the city was "a great place to be, to live, to work".

"We can show Exeter off, but more importantly there can be some good women's rugby."

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