With the Rugby World Cup kicking off at Twickenham on Friday, rugby fans across Wales are gearing up to enjoying their favourite sport over the next few weeks.

But what does that mean for businesses, when fans want to watch the games being played during office hours?

Business Argus has asked local businesses what they plan to do for the duration of the competition.

Lloyd Davies, managing director, Convey Law, Newport

We are all really looking forward to the Rugby World Cup at Convey Law, being mad rugby supporters. It is a really exciting event with eight of the games being played in the Millennium Stadium. We will be allowing members of staff to watch the games during working hours or allowing them the flexibility to leave early to watch games. Naturally we are supporting Wales and we wish them all the very best for the competition. Wales have a really tough group, which has been compounded by the recent injuries to Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny. The New Zealand All Blacks have to be favourites given their past and recent form, although we think it is going to be a very exciting competition with half a dozen teams in the reckoning. Anything can happen in a cup tournament!

Steve Morgan, director of Steve Morgan Associates, Newport

In Wales we always look forward to the world cup, particularly after our performance four years ago. This year’s competition has had the edge taken off it with some key injuries to Welsh players, but it’s also the opportunity for fringe players to step up to the plate. Hopefully, Newport's own Hallam Amos will prove his quality at international level and make all Dragons supporters very proud. As an office, we encourage all our staff to support their own nations and will be ensuring that we all have a television set in front of us to support our countries. Having several nationalities within the office should make sure that we all get to watch a good cross section of the pool matches. As a proud Welshman, there is only one country I can support, however, my Italian roots ensure that I keep one eye on their matches. As much as I think the standard of rugby in the Northern Hemisphere has improved since the last world cup, I can’t see anybody other than New Zealand or Australia winning. While England are the home nation, I don’t think they are at the level that they achieved when they won the world cup in 2003. Let’s hope that Wales get out of the group and then we get the chance to dream.

Nikki Thomas, HR officer, HardingEvans Solicitors, Newport

As a firm we have considered approaches to help employees enjoy the matches that are important to them without compromising the needs of the business. We will encourage employees to use annual leave, particularly to discourage general absenteeism and lateness caused by over-indulgence. However, we haven’t received an influx of leave requests that coincide with the fixtures as yet and don’t envisage the world cup to be a disruption to the business as we find the staff at HE are very conscientious and committed to their roles. Historically we have never suffered with high levels of absenteeism linked to sporting events or otherwise.

Kate Richards, territory manager, Budget Vets, Newport

I’m English living, working and raising a family in Wales, so the world cup always means I receive a lot of banter from my Welsh colleagues, in-laws and friends more than usual. Having said that the unity and pride of the Welsh as a nation always impresses me and I feel proud that my children will grow up to know what being patriotic really means. I do enjoy watching the rugby and regularly attend matches as my partner is a dedicated fan (like all Welsh people I know). Unfortunately, due to the industry we are in we do not have the ability nor would it coincide with our duty of care to our patients to close branches or reduce staff for them to watch the world cup. However they can book annual leave, toil or swap shifts during this time.

John Newell, director, Kingston Newell Estate Agents, Newport

There is only one team we’ll be supporting – Wales, of course. We are open on the weekends when the majority of matches take place but looking at the timetable, the matches we really want to see are at times when we are closed. When there is a crossover, I’m sure the TV in the office can be discretely used for ‘team building’ purposes!

Dan Smith, director, M4 Property Consultants, Newport

Recent injuries may have reduced the optimism and excitement for the world cup from a Welsh perspective, but we’ll still be cheering the team on and hoping we can win. Sporting events like the Rugby World Cup are a great opportunity to leave the confines of the office and enjoy the games with clients, associates and friends. In our industry, being sat at your desk all day is unlikely to create deals. Meeting with local business people and chatting over a pint during the game can actually be more productive. We will certainly be encouraging our team to get out and network and enjoy themselves, hopefully watching Wales progress from the group stage and who knows, maybe even winning the world cup!

Robyn Walters, director, Xpress Recruitment, Newport

As an new business, we are working long hours to get up and running but we are also rugby fans and appreciate that many of our clients and candidates share our passion. The RWC will provide us with opportunities to informally meet up with our clients to watch the matches and introduce our services to them. We need to be mindful of which matches are taking place and when as we often contact our candidates outside of their working hours and they might not appreciate us calling them during key games. Who will we be supporting – Wales.