News story: Italy vs Wales rugby match in Rome: consular advice

The Consular Services of the British Embassy Rome have advice for Welsh supporters travelling to see the match.

Travelling rugby fans normally prepare well for their trips, don’t get into fights, don’t overindulge, don’t lose their passports and don’t normally come to our attention. Keep it up!

However, to avoid getting into trouble, here’s a bit of advice:

• check that your passport is valid for your whole trip to Italy;
• make sure that you bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – this proves your entitlement to free/reduced cost health care if you need medical attention;
• the EHIC does not replace comprehensive travel insurance though, so make sure you’re insured. Insurance could cover the entire cost of hospitalisation, and repatriation should that become necessary;
• keep an eye on your possessions at all times: pickpockets operate in large crowds and on most public transport.

The emergency numbers in Italy are:

• 112: Carabinieri
• 113: police
• 118: emergency ambulance
• 115: fire brigades

Practical information:

• the venue for this match will be the Olympic Stadium in Rome. Kick-off time is at 3pm, Italian time. The Stadium opens at 1pm. You should try to arrive early as access to the stadium might take some time and certainly before 2pm;

• a fan zone at Parco del Foro Italico (next to the Stadium) is open from 10am on Sunday;

• there is no parking at the Stadium so don’t arrive by car;

• disabled car parking spaces are located outside the Carraia Nord, in Largo Ferraris IV, where you will be directed to the Tribuna Tevere to access the Stadium;

• Italian police and stewards will conduct ticket checks and security screening. You might be required to show an original identity document. Any items that could be used as a weapon, like glass or plastic bottles, are not permitted inside the stadium;

• note also that musical instruments, large umbrellas and items of luggage are not permitted inside the Stadium;

How to get to the Olympic Stadium:

• take Metro Line A to Flaminio/Piazza del Popolo and walk to the Stadium (4.5 Kms) for about 30 minutes, or you can take tram no. 2 from Flaminio which drops you close to the Stadium. Alternatively take bus 910 from Roma Termini, get off at Piazza Antonio Mancini, then walk through the park, over the Bridge Duca D’Aosta and you’ll see the Stadio Olimpico;

• combined Metro and bus/tram tickets can be purchased from most tobacconists, bars, or vending machines at metro stations and major bus stops and cost €1.50 each. Please note that bus and tram tickets must be stamped in the small yellow ticket machine found on buses and trams as soon as you start your journey. Failure to do so will result in a fine, if checked by an inspector.

If things go wrong and you need consular assistance, call us on +39 06 4220 0001.

Check out our Italy travel advice before you go.