Opening Ceremony - Rugby World Cup, 2015

Rugby Returns To The

Nation Of Its Birth

For the second time in Rugby's history, the world-wide played Sport formally returned to the land of its birth when the Country of England - in the role of Tournament Host - graciously welcomed Nations from around the world to London's Twickenham Stadium to officially begin the 8th World Cup in a brief but powerful Opening Ceremony that took place on Friday, September the 18th, 2015.

The exciting, twenty minute-long event began very naturally with the succinct film dramatization of how this beloved pastime was created at the now-world-famous Rugby School, in 1823.

William Webb Ellis, portrayed very well in deed by 14-year-old English Actor, Edward Anthony, was, of course, "present" to showcase his "fine disregard for the rules of Football", "as played in his time", when he first elected to run with the game's ball towards the opposite goal, rather than kick it.

The newly named "Rugby" ball was then passed down through the decades and multiple Schools representatively by the capable hands of various Rugby Greats, displaying the Sport's rapidly-growing popularity throughout Great Britain.

At length, the ball is returned to "the Father of Rugby" (Ellis) in London, England, just outside Twickenham Stadium, who then kicks the well-worn leather ball skyward in a mile-high kick toward the reaches of space.  The ball then begins its highly-anticipated descent to Billy's cabbage Patch, landing squarely in the center of Twickenham field, and leaving in its wake a most impressive crater, from which arises the passionately-cheered-on "Rugby Players"

The excitement continues, and quickly grows, as the “Rugby Players” begin to peel back the layers that make up the exterior of the enormous, worn, leather ball of old to reveal an all-new, Gilbert-crafted, rubber-made and equally ginormous 2015 Rugby ball that has been resting quietly underneath the apparent chaos.

A well-versed singing out of "The World In Union" by British star, Laura Wright, and an unnamed but vastly-talented boy, is then witnessed as the "Rugby Players" continue to work together to strip away the final layer of the ceremonial ball, revealing the soon-to-be-much-sought-after William Webb Ellis Cup, subsequently retrieved by none other than William Webb Ellis himself (as played by Anthony) who then places the golden Cup on a ceremonial stand that has been most prestigiously erected center stage.

The well-received Ceremonial production also included more than a few, startle-inducing cameos, including game legends Jonny Wilkinson, Sir Clive Woodward, Will Greenwood, Jason Leonard, Bill Beaumont, and the former Coach of Scotland and the British Lions, Sir Ian McGeechan.

Also making a brief appearance in the Ceremony's pre-film was none other than Prince Harry - playing the role of Gardener - at the Rugby School of 1823, who humorously declares to fellow Gardener, Jonny Wilkinson, upon witnessing Ellis' fateful escapades, "Don't worry, Jonny, that'll never take off!"

A surreal event, to say the least, which gave proper cause for much cheer and excitement.

Prince Harry also made a live appearance in his official role as Honorary President of England Rugby 2015 on center stage in the midst of Twickenham field, for a rousing speech to the capacity-packed Stadium of 82,000 fans, including the smiling faces of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (bedecked very appropriately in matching shades of Royal Blue), competing Nations, Players, and Fellow Countrymen, of this globally-shared event:

"Welcome to Twickenham, to England 2015, and to the 8th Rugby World Cup.  This evening marks the beginning of a celebration of rugby which I hope will inspire current players, those new to the game and future generations.  There will be moments in this World Cup which will live with us for the rest of our lives. Who could forget 1995 and President Mandela handing The Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar, or that Drop kick in 2003?  

To all the players, we congratulate you and wish you well for the tournament. Your individual skill is to be celebrated; but, I can think of no other sport where the success of the team is shouldered so equally by everyone.  

Rugby has changed dramatically in my lifetime. But it remains a game founded on a code of values. Values which are as important today - both on and off the field of play - as they have ever been. Across the country, regardless of age, background or belief, this nation, which gave rugby to the world in 1823, will join together and celebrate the game like never before.  

In six weeks' time, one team will take its place in history. It's up to every one of us, to raise the roof on each match in this unforgettable journey. The players have earned it, the Nations deserve it and the fans expect it.  We're ready ... Game on!"

Game on indeed.  Following his speech, and a few more ceremonial tie-ups, the long-awaited Rugby World Cup, 2015, officially got under way with the Tournament's Inaugural Test Match:  England vs. Fiji.

A Brief History of Twickenham Stadium

Twickenham Stadium, England

Twickenham Stadium, located on Whitton Road, Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, South West London, is the National Stadium of England; and is soon to premier as one of the 13, pre-selected Venues to help co-host The 2015 Rugby World Cup, which is all set to kick off (Ahem, if you'll pardon the pun!) on September 18th, 2015.

All Blacks at Twickenham

Twickenham, AKA "The Tarquin Dome", or "Twickers", as it is sometimes referred to, stands as the largest Rugby Union Stadium in the World, and also holds the proud distinctions of being the 2nd largest Stadium in The United Kingdom, London (Next to Wembley Stadium, also London), and the 4th largest Stadium in all of Europe, with a crowd capacity of 82,000.

An aerial view of Twickenham Stadium

In the year 1907, RFU (Rugby Football Union) Committee Member, William "Billy" Williams, along with RFU Treasurer, William Cail, set out, upon the urging of some anxious Employers, on what would eventually be noted as a history-making endeavour: To seek out and purchase England's first Rugby Union dedicated grounds.

Recognizing some great, albeit hidden, potential, Billy Williams settled upon a humble Cabbage Patch, resting comfortably in Twickenham, London.

For £5,500 12s and 6d, the 10¼ acres were swiftly purchased, and construction began the following year for what would later be referred to as, "The Home of Rugby Union".  As a result of these "game changing" events, Twickenham Stadium would also come to be affectionately referred to as "Billy Williams' Cabbage Patch, "The Cabbage Patch", or just simply "Headquarters".

On October 2nd, 1909, Twickenham Stadium hosted its inaugural Match between English Rugby Union club Teams, Harlequins and Richmond (14-10, Harlequins).   A first International Test Match would soon follow, making its Twickenham debut on January 15th, 1910, between International Rugby Teams, England and Wales (11-6, England).  At that time, Twickenham's maximum capacity only allowed for a mere 20,000 spectators.

During the First World War (WWI), England's most beloved Stadium was once again humbled and brought down to the lowly status of "Cow Pasture", when it was temporarily converted for the necessary grazing of some of the country's sheep, horse, and cattle populations.  In public remembrance and gratitude of this noble sacrifice, King George V would later unveil a War Memorial, in 1921.

In the year 1959, old adversaries, England and Wales, joined forces to battle worthy opponents, Ireland and Scotland, in a unique Test Match to celebrate Twickenham's 50th Anniversary.  England and Wales won the Match, 26-17.

In celebration of Twickenham's 100th Anniversary, England's International Rugby Players wore commemorative shirts in an International Test Match against Wales that was played on February 6th, 2010, in Twickenham Stadium.  England, rather appropriately, thrashed the opposing Team, winning the historical game with a final score of 30-17.

In a love affair that has lasted for over a century, Billy's Cabbage Patch also retains the unique, additional distinction of being the only National Stadium in the entire World to have its native Team,  England, play nearly all their Home Games there (as opposed to any other National Team of the World, who prefer to "switch up" their playing Venues on a regular basis), and is considered to be by its Patrons, one of England's most-precious treasures and crowning achievements (if you'll pardon the 2nd pun!).