It´s not easy being a Rugby fan in Spain and impossible to make a living by covering it. Thankfully Fernando Castán and his book ( “100 motivos para que te guste el rugby” ) is doing its bit to spread the word of the game of Rugby Union. Back before Madrid went into full egg cooking on a pavement mode, we were able to catch up with Fernando Castán at Feria del Libro in Retiro Park to talk Rugby, winning eyeballs and hunting for Rugby World Cup tickets.
“I remember watching the Five Nations and taking notes, that´s part of my childhood” – Fernando Castán
So Spain may seem an unusual Rugby country but unlike late comers to the sport (such as this author) ,Fernando has been a fan since he was a boy. “I remember watching, with my parents and Grandparents in the 70´s the Five Nations and taking notes, like the journalist I was in my mind. Because my Father and Grandfather were Journalists too. So black and white images, a battle from Cardiff. That´s part of my childhood.”
Still, he isn´t free of the roundball obsession either. “I like football, I´m an Athletico Madrid supporter (who Fernando has also covered extensively in his career) but as a sport , my favourite is Rugby. But you know in Spain it´s difficult because football eats everything.”
“Step by Step- it is getting more important.”
As a football and Rugby fan, Fernando is well placed to see how tough it is for Spainish Rugby to fight for coverage in the paper or increasingly, on the mobile phone. So does Castán think this Rugby World Cup offers a chance for Spanish Rugby to have a breakout moment?
“The audiences are quite high in the Six Nations, the Rugby World Cup and we haven´t been playing in a Rugby World Cup since 1999. Step by step it is getting more important. Now for example you can see the Spanish League (División de Honor) on TV, the French League and of course the Six Nations. You are in a gym and someone is talking about the All Blacks. It´s not basketball, it´s not football but it is something. “
Getting a ticket? “I´m crossing my fingers”
After lamenting the crowds Spain could´ve taken to France had they not been given the boot, Fernando is crossing his fingers he will finally get to see Spain in a Rugby World Cup, in the flesh. “I applied for the Argentina one in Melbourne and the Canada one in the Gold Coast. I´m crossing my fingers because there´s been something like a million applications.” We walk away from Retiro , football fever already getting ready to take over the bars and promotional offers all around.
Thankfully the games being on the other side of the world in the Rugby World Cup means Spain games won´t need to compete with the juggernaut of football for the evening slots. Not to worry, a Spanish Rugby World Cup game with an early morning caña ? That doesn´t sound so bad.
Photos used with permission of Fernando Castan and you can buy his book “100 Reasons you should love Rugby” by clicking on the link.
You can listen to the full interview below.