Welcome Japan!

The Japan team were welcomed to Brighton & Hove on Friday. 

The Welcome Ceremony which took place the Brighton Dome Theatre one week before the start of the Tournament.  The 51 players and also the management staff were presented with the official caps and participation medals. 

The Japanese team also presented the Mayor of Brighton & Hove with an unusual Japanese ornament, a large bright figurine.

The Mayor of Brighton & Hove with a gift from Japan
Photo credit: Getty Images for ER2015

Westdene Primary School boys’ choir, from Brighton, performed the RWC 2015 song “World in Union”. 

Westdene Primary School Boys' Choir from Brighton
Photo credit: Getty Images for ER2015

Afterwards the team gathered for photos in the Royal Pavilion Music Room.  The Japanese team play South Africa at 4.45pm on Saturday September 19 at the Brighton Community Stadium.  

The Japanese team in the Music Room at The Royal Pavilion
Photo credit: Getty Images for ER2015

Watch highlights from Japan's official Welcome Ceremony at the Brighton Dome.

Welcome Samoa!

The Samoan team were welcomed to Brighton & Hove on Friday. 

The Welcome Ceremony which took place the Brighton Dome Theatre one week before the start of the Tournament. The 31 players and 15 management staff were presented with the official caps and participation medals. 

The Samoan manager took to the podium to say: “Brighton reminds us so much of Samoa! You have the sun, you have the sea and you have beautiful smiling people.” The team then took to the stage to give a rousing demonstration of Samoan dance and song.  

Samaon team on stage
Photo credit: Getty Images for ER2015

Afterwards the team stopped for photos in front of the Royal Pavilion and met fans waiting to wish them well. The Samoan team play USA at 12 noon on Sunday September 20 at the Brighton Community Stadium.  

Samoan team at the Royal Pavilion
Photo credit: Getty Images for ER2015

Watch highlights from the Samoan Welcome Ceremony at the Dome.

See the Samoan team on stage as captured on a phone by one of the audience.

Almost Tournament time!

It is not long now until the first match of Rugby World Cup 2015 at Twickenham on Friday 18 September.

Brighton & Hove is gearing up for the first weekend of the Tournament when two matches will be played at the Brighton Community Stadium.

• Saturday 19 September: 4.45pm South Africa v Japan (Pool B)
• Sunday 20 September: 12 Noon Samoa v USA (Pool B)

Preparations are underway to celebrate Rugby in the city as we help kick off RWC 2015. Residents and visiting fans will soon be heading to the stadium to enjoy the matches or soak up the Tournament atmosphere at the official Fanzone on Brighton beach. Everyone will be able to enjoy the experience of the only seaside venue of the Tournament.

The visiting teams with bases in Brighton & Hove, Japan and Samoa, will be greeted with Welcome Ceremonies when they arrive in the city. At the 100 days to go milestone, we shared how Westdene Primary School, in Brighton, is going to be part of the Welcome Ceremony for the Japanese team exactly one month from today.

The boys have been practicing with their dedicated teacher and shared one of the rehearsals recently so we could see how they are getting on. The Welcome Ceremonies taking place in Brighton & Hove will happen one month from today, on September 11.

Find out more about how the boys are getting on and hear their rehearsals at https://youtu.be/gEhK-3JW3wE