Rugby World Cup 2015

3rd & 7 37yd

Fiji's Waiseau Nayacalevu's Instagram charts the days leading up to tonight, Fiji's opening game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup:

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 5:45:19 PM
James Haskell
@jameshaskell
I cant believe its finally here! The World cup is upon us. Good luck to all the starting team. @EnglandRugby ????
12:37 PM - 18 Sep 2015
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by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 5:45:32 PM
A Fiji fan outside the stadium before the opening match between England and Fiji. Action Images via Reuters/Henry Browne

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 5:45:45 PM
Hi all, the Reuters text team are in place at Twickenham. After a long build up it's almost upon us.
It's a great atmosphere, as you'd expect. Short opening ceremony starts in 25 mins

- Mitch Phillips, Reuters head of UK sports reporting

by Mitch edited by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 5:47:00 PM
England fans outside the stadium before the match. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 5:48:16 PM
England fans come through turnstiles outside the stadium before the match. Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 5:57:03 PM
England head coach Stuart Lancaster on the pitch before the match. Action Images via Reuters/Henry Browne

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 5:57:10 PM
Do you agree with our Breakingviews analysis?

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:14:41 PM
Singer Laura Wright performs during the opening ceremony

REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:15:02 PM
David Cameron
@David_Cameron
Extraordinary atmosphere at Twickenham at the start of #RWC2015 - the next 44 days promise to be best @rugbyworldcup ever.
6:48 PM - 18 Sep 2015
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by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:15:04 PM
Singer Laura Wright performs during the opening ceremony. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:22:09 PM
Kensington Palace
@KensingtonRoyal
Incredible atmosphere at Twickenham! The Duke and Duchess & Prince Harry are attending the #RWC2015 Opening Ceremony http://t.co/x9GvaFcW32
7:13 PM - 18 Sep 2015
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by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:22:44 PM
England fans before the opening England v Fiji match. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:22:47 PM
Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L) watch on during the opening ceremony of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:22:48 PM
General view during the opening ceremony. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:32:08 PM
Rugby World Cup
@rugbyworldcup
7:32 PM - 18 Sep 2015
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by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 6:36:52 PM
General view during the opening ceremony. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:38:10 PM
General view during the opening ceremony. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:40:13 PM
The media poised for the off...

by ossianshine edited by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:42:28 PM
Flames at the opening ceremony

Reuters / Stefan Wermuth

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:42:31 PM
PRINCE HARRY: "We are ready. Game on."

Britain's Prince Harry (L) and Chairman of World Rugby Bernard Lapasset speak during the opening ceremony. Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:42:50 PM
In six weeks' time one team will take its place in history," Britain's Prince Harry said, prompting another huge roar from the crowd.
"It is up to us to raise the roof in each match on this unforgettable journey.
"We are ready -- game on!"

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:46:32 PM
Siobhan King
@appraisalrules
Getting really excited about #RWC2015 so chuffed for Fiji getting to play opening match at Twickenham
7:45 PM - 18 Sep 2015
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by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 6:47:47 PM
THREE FACTS ABOUT THE 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP:
- The six-week event is being billed as the first billion dollar rugby festival
- More than 2.2 million tickets have been sold
- The tournament is expected to contribute some 869 million pounds to Britain's economy
REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:50:20 PM
England head coach Stuart Lancaster before the game. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:53:46 PM
England's Chris Robshaw warms up before the game. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:54:21 PM
Elenoa Salele
@elenoa_salele
Were awake! Fiji is all hyped up. Few more minutes till the #FlyingFijians play against #England this morning. #TosoViti #Bolea #RWC2015 ????????
7:56 PM - 18 Sep 2015
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by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 6:57:52 PM
England and Fiji ready for World Cup opener

LONDON (Reuters) - England and Fiji were set to launch the 2015 World Cup on a rip-roaring opening night on Friday as 82,000 fans packed in to Twickenham and millions more around the world settled down for the first of 48 matches over almost seven weeks.

Both teams reported a clean bill of health over their final few days of preparations, with no changes to the matchday squads.

Thousands of fans were mingling outside the ground four hours before kickoff, though many more had a hair-raising matchday experience after a broken down train caused lengthy delays in journeys from central London.

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 6:58:20 PM
Flames and fireworks going off around the pitch as England and Fiji head out to great fanfare!

by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 6:58:33 PM
Fijian team singing the national anthem first - Meda Dau Doka - (God Bless Fiji)

by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 6:59:55 PM
And of course England sings God Save the Queen - resounding at Twickenham

by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 7:01:06 PM
Line-ups for the World Cup 1st Round Pool A
match between England and Fiji:

ENGLAND:
1-Joe Marler, 2-Tom Youngs, 3-Dan Cole, 4-Geoff Parling, 5-Courtney Lawes,
6-Tom Wood;7-Chris Robshaw (capt), 8-Ben Morgan;9-Ben Youngs, 10-George Ford,
11-Jonny May, 12-Brad Barritt, 13-Jonathan Joseph;14-Anthony Watson 15-Mike
Brown

Replacements: 16-Robert Webber, 17-Mako Vunipola, 18-Kieran Brookes,
19-Joe Launchbury, 20-Billy Vunipola, 21-Richard Wigglesworth, 22-Owen Farrell,
23-Sam Burgess

FIJI:

1-Campese Ma'afu, 2-Sunia Koto, 3-Manasa Saulo, 4-Apisalome Ratuniyarawa,
5-Leone Nakarawa, 6-Dominiko Waqaniburotu;7-Akapusi Qera (capt), 8-Sakiusa
Matadigo;9-Nikola Matawalu, 10-Ben Volavola, 11-Nemani Nadolo, 12-Gabiriele
Lovobalavu, 13-Vereniki Goneva;14-Waisea Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu 15-Metuisela
Talebula

Replacements: 16-Talemaitoga Tuapati, 17-Peni Ravai, 18-Isei Colati,
19-Tevita Cavubati, 20-Peceli Yato, 21-Nemia Kenatale, 22-Josh Matavesi, 23-Asaeli
Tikoirotuma

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 7:02:08 PM
Fiji Rugby
@fijirugby
Fiji now with the Cibi. Minutes before kick off! #ENGvFJI #RWC2015 #FlyingFijians
7:59 PM - 18 Sep 2015
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by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 7:02:55 PM
Rugby Union - England v Fiji - IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 18/9/15 England's Sam Burgess warms up before the match Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne

by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 7:07:53 PM
It's raining in Twickenham - let's see how that affects performance for the teams.

by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 7:08:33 PM
by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 7:10:41 PM
Fiji perform the Cibi before the match
Reuters / Stefan Wermuth

by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 7:12:33 PM
Lucy Tallon
@LucyParmaTallon
I'm sorry, but I just can't get over the red. It's worse than a practice strip. And somehow the red socks make it worse. Unsexy #RWC2015
8:11 PM - 18 Sep 2015
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by jamillah.knowles 9/18/2015 7:14:05 PM
England line up as Fiji perform the Cibi before the match. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 7:15:51 PM
Fiji line up before the match. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 7:16:42 PM
England's Geoff Parling wins a lineout Action Images via Reuters/Henry Browne

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 7:17:27 PM
Fiji's Ben Volavola drops the ball
Reuters / Stefan Wermuth

by jamillah.knowles edited by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 7:17:36 PM
England's Ben Youngs kicks the ball upfield

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 7:18:32 PM
Fiji's Nemani Nadolo in action

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

by elizabeth.culliford 9/18/2015 7:19:38 PM
11' Jaco Peyper goes upstairs to the TMO and England are awarded a penalty for a tip-tackle on Jonny May. Ford kicks to touch for a lineout
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) September 18, 2015

by Nigel Stevenson (Reuters) 9/18/2015 7:20:39 PM

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Rugby World Cup 2015

Flames at the opening ceremony

Reuters / Stefan Wermuth

PRINCE HARRY: "We are ready. Game on."

Britain's Prince Harry (L) and Chairman of World Rugby Bernard Lapasset speak during the opening ceremony. Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs

World News

Europe becomes second region to cross 250,000 deaths as second COVID wave hits

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Rugby World Cup 2015

Flames at the opening ceremonyReuters / Stefan Wermuth

PRINCE HARRY: "We are ready. Game on."Britain's Prince Harry (L) and Chairman of World Rugby Bernard Lapasset speak during the opening ceremony. Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs

World News

Europe becomes second region to cross 250,000 deaths as second COVID wave hits

Related Topics:

Flames at the opening ceremony

Reuters / Stefan Wermuth

PRINCE HARRY: "We are ready. Game on."

Britain's Prince Harry (L) and Chairman of World Rugby Bernard Lapasset speak during the opening ceremony. Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs