Sport
Rugby World Cup 2015: Hosts England face Fiji in opening match
Updated 2113 GMT (0513 HKT) September 18, 2015
Share
1 of 24
The 2015 Rugby World Cup began in England Friday, with Prince Harry -- honorary president of the tournament -- delivering a speech during the opening ceremony. Paul Gilham/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the 80,000-strong crowd at London's Twickenham Stadium. Paul Gilham/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
A military band plays for the crowd ahead of the opening match between England and Fiji. David Rogers/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
A giant rugby ball dominates the center of the field during the opening ceremony. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The two teams line up for the national anthems behind the Webb Ellis Cup, the prize for the world champions. David Rogers/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
England's Mike Brown sprints free to score the second try of the match. The full back added another in the second half as the host's eventually ran out 35-11 winners. David Rogers/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
George Ford of England successfully converts under the lights at Twickenham. Paul Gilham/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Twickenham Stadium will host 11 World Cup matches. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
An artist paints outside Twickenham ahead of England's game against Fiji. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Brace yourself for plenty of men and women in fancy dress over the next six weeks. Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
And one or two selfies ... Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Not forgetting lashings of face paint ... Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
No major global sporting event would be complete without a few libations. Here England rugby fans drink at The Eel Pie pub near Twickenham. Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
These England fans are coming up smelling of roses. Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Over in Wales Cardiff Castle was trending on Twitter after a giant rugby ball was embedded in its wall. Unfortunately Wales' team has also been torn apart by injury in the lead up to the tournament, losing the influential Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny. DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Harry attended Thursday's gala to welcome some of the world's best rugby players who will take part in the six-week tournament. Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Jonny Wilkinson (left), who kicked England to World Cup final glory in 2003, shares a joke with Prince Harry. WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Fiji warm up ahead of Friday's opening match. Harry Engels/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
England captain Chris Robshaw (left) is pictured warming up with Jonny May. David Rogers/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Romania's players are all smiles ahead of their eighth World Cup. Romania's group includes Canada, France, Ireland and Italy. Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images Europe
Canada's players are presented with international caps during the team's welcoming ceremony at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, Wales. Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Europe
Uruguay's players strike a pose in Cardiff ahead of their opening game against the Welsh on Sunday.
Tonga's back row forward Hale T. Pole is hoping he can ink his name in the history books and take the Pacific Islanders out of the pool stages for the first time. Tonga's group includes Argentina, Georgia, Namibia and holders New Zealand. LOIC VENANCE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Australian flanker Sean McMahon shows off his tattoos at the University of Bath. MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
