Train passengers are being reminded to plan ahead and leave plenty of time to complete their journey as the Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks off on Friday (September 18).

Matches at Twickenham usually take place at the weekends when the number of other passengers is lower. However the Opening Ceremony and first match of the tournament will take place on the evening of Friday (September 18).

This will mean thousands of rugby spectators will be travelling during the already very busy afternoon and evening period.

South West Trains is advising supporters and commuters to allow plenty of time for their travel and pay close attention to travel advice available online, on trains and in stations.

Passengers who are travelling to the rugby are advised:

  • Stations and trains will be exceptionally busy in the afternoon and evening
  • Travel before 4pm if possible
  • Leave plenty of time to reach your destination
  • Due to exceptionally high numbers of people travelling, passengers may not be able to catch their intended train
  • Be prepared to either queue for a train or wait for a train that has space
  • Be prepared for other crowd management controls to be in place, including one-way systems and temporary changes to station entrances and exits

Passengers who are not attending the match and plan to travel between London Waterloo and Reading and London Waterloo and Windsor on Friday afternoon/evening are strongly advise to make alternative arrangements including:

  • Changing travelling times
  • Taking an alternative route

South West Trains and Network Rail are also putting in a range of extra help for passengers on Friday and throughout the tournament.

  • Extra trains from Waterloo to Twickenham starting at midday on Friday. 10 per hour until 5pm and then 12 per hour.
  • On Friday, two extra services will start from Clapham Junction
  • Extra volunteers and staff at key stations, including language speakers
  • Improvement works completed at Twickenham and Whitton stations, including new footbridges and new platform facilities
  • Comprehensive contingency plans in place, in close partnership with other organisations such as British Transport Police, Transport for London and local authorities
  • No engineering work taking place on match days

Extra trains and additional staff will be available and detailed information can be found at www.southwesttrains.co.uk.

There will be two Rugby World Cup games at the Brighton Community Stadium (next to Falmer station).

  • Saturday (September 19) at 4.45pm - South Africa V Japan
  • Sunday (September 20) at 12pm - Samoa V USA

Southern is advising passengers travelling to Brighton to beat the crowds and buy your train tickets in advance online.

Southern will be running extra trains and longer trains around the Brighton area over the rugby weekend.

Further information can be found at www.southernrailway.com.