Finding a suitable pub to watch sport can be a little tricky. Lots of places show the big games but you wouldn’t necessarily want to spend time in lots of them.

While I’ve not been able to assess the atmosphere on match days, The White Hart in Orpington may be a decent bet. It has all the makings.

This pub has plenty of room and an obscenely big big screen. When I nipped in during the final week of the Rugby World Cup it was impossible to ignore their dedication to the tournament.

We’re talking giant inflatable posts and flags all around.

Pre and post match, there’s something to keep the lads occupied with a couple of pool tables and darts.

It’s a decent set up and an impressively clean pub but on an admittedly fairly quiet lunchtime, I did find it hard to warm to the place. It’s lacking something, just that bit of character.

Not that it put off the diners of my visit. My lunch was soundtracked by the middle of the road urban pop of the sound system and the croaking chuckle of pensioners swapping stories over the frightfully cheap food.

Just like the drinks selection – which amounts to the usual mass market lagers plus Greene King IPA and Doombar – the food menu was basic but cheap.

The barmaid wasn’t exactly on sparkling form, declining to put a whole sentence together during the ordering process, although she did manage to crack a smile when delivering my baguette.

In hindsight, maybe it’s because she saw what she was about to serve me. It’s fair to say it wasn’t my favourite meal of the week but I guess you get what you pay for.

The White Hart, High Street, Orpington

How it rated:

Décor *** Plain but tidy. Huge screen.

Atmosphere *** Pleasant enought

Food ** Not great

Drink ** Cheap but uninspiring range

Price **** Very pleasing

Staff ** Not the chirpiest