Advertisement
rwc 15

Rapper and royalty open Rugby World Cup as 'The Bull' Hayes makes guest appearance

As far as opening ceremonies go, it wasn’t bad.

PRINCE HARRY AND a rap poet joined legends of rugby at Twickenham to formally launch the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

“Never has a tournament been so eagerly anticipated and never has a nation been so ready,” said World Rugby president Bernard Lapasset as he opened the event following a 20 minute ceremony.

Prince Harry at the opening ceremony Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

George the Poet read his rap work and rugby legends including former England captain Martin Johnson and ex-All Blacks skipper Sean Fitzpatrick took part as a giant rugby ball was dismantled during the ceremony to reveal the Webb Ellis Cup.

“We’re ready. Game on!” Britain’s Prince Harry, honorary president of England Rugby 2015, said to a roar of approval from the capacity 82,000 crowd packed into Twickenham Stadium, the largest stadium in the world devoted solely to rugby.

The ceremony, themed as ‘Breaking New Ground’ celebrated the story of rugby from its roots in 1823 at Rugby School, when according to legend William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a game of football.

Harry also featured in the film, playing the role of a stunned gardner as the young Ellis ran from the school and passed the ball through video clips of former great players.

A general view of the opening ceremony James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

They notably included Jason Robinson of England and Fiji’s Rupeni Caucaunibuca and traced the game through to 2015 with the ceremony taking place ahead of the World Cup opening match between hosts England and Fiji.

To the delight largely partisan English crowd the opening ceremony began with the Rugby School choir, accompanied by the Royal Marines band giving a rousing rendition of the England theme song “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”.

John Hayes at the opening ceremony Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

A general view of the opening ceremony James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

John Hayes at the opening ceremony James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2015 - Pool A - Fiji v England - Twickenham Stadium GLYN KIRK GLYN KIRK

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2015 - Pool A - Fiji v England - Twickenham Stadium PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

© – AFP 2015

60 years on from his father’s All-Ireland win, Conor O’Shea can’t wait for the latest rematch

There was a thrilling 14-point turnaround in the last 3 minutes of this ITM Cup match

Your Voice
Readers Comments
19
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.