RBS 6 Nations Match Day Entertainment
Sunday, 10 March sees a powerful Italy team return to Twickenham for the first time since 2011, with England looking to continue their winning run against an Italian team, who have once again showed that they are no pushover in this year's championship. With England on a high coming off the back of a tough win against France, they will be looking to maintain their momentum and continue their championship push in style. Whatever the outcome it promises to be a game full of passion, power and skill for all fans to enjoy. With the match kicking off at 3pm, we would advise that fans enter the stadium at least 45 minutes before to enjoy the atmosphere building as kick-off approaches.
Don’t forget that the West Car Park Village opens at 12.30pm and the pre-match pitchside entertainment starts at 2.15pm so there is plenty to enjoy – even before the rugby starts.
Highlights include:
Laura Wright: England Rugby's first official anthem singer
On Sunday the anthems will be sung by Laura Wright, recently named as England Rugby’s first official anthem singer. Having sold more than one million albums, the soprano has been nominated for a Classical Brit Award for the past two years and performed for the Queen more times than any other artist in 2012. She will be supported by Gianluca Pagnelli who will be performing the Italian national anthem. Gianluca began his musical training in the RAI's Choir of Boy Sopranos. After a sabbatical year in the Choir of the Vatican, he progressed under the tutelage of renowned Italian baritone Ludovico Malavasi, winning a scholarship to study Opera at the the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, before taking up a place at Rome’s Teatro dell'Opera, and performing the principal roles in operas like Rigoletto, La Traviata and Madam Butterfly.
The Ruck'n'Rollers Brass Band
To kick things off as soon as you get off the train, you will be greeted by the Ruck’n’Rollers Brass Band at Twickenham Station, with a mixture of classic and contemporary songs, it will be a great way to warm up the vocal chords before you get to the stadium and the fantastic atmosphere that awaits in the west car park.
Military out in force
We are delighted to welcome the third of three military bands to Twickenham for the RBS 6 Nations, The Band of the Coldstream Guards, who will play Jersusalem and accompany the anthems. The regiment was formed in 1650 by George Monck, a General in Oliver Cromwell’s “New Model Army”. In 1661, shortly after the restoration of the monarchy, they were re-commissioned by King Charles II as household troops from the town of Coldstream near Berwick-Upon-Tweed. They have performed worldwide to international acclaim, especially when playing the American National Anthem in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace following the September 11th disasters. The Band of the Coldstream Guards has now been in existence for over 200 years of continuous military service, which make it one of the world’s oldest military bands.
Giant St George’s Cross unveiling
Another great reason to get yourself to your seat early will be to see the unveiling of our giant St George’s crosses with members of our military forces taking part it will be fantastic opportunity to get everyone ready for the challenge ahead.
GUINNESS Match Pundit
The GUINNESS match pundit will be pitch side and on the big screen. Recently retired England international Lee Mears will be on hand to offer his views of the challenge that lays ahead and who to look out for in the latest edition of this famous fixture. He will be joined by GB Wheelchair Rugby Captain Andy Barrow.
IBM TryTracker
In a first for rugby, the RFU and IBM have launched a new platform to give fans access to real time insight into the team and individual performance on the pitch. It analyses historic and current data to provide in-game stats and live insight to help viewers understand what to watch for in each game and explain exactly what teams need to do to win against specific opponents – the IBM TryTracker. It can be accessed by all mobile devices and tablets and is available at www.rfu.com/ibmtrytracker.
O2 Canons
Look out for the O2 Angels and O2 cannon at half-time for your chance to get limited edition O2 and England branded goodies. The O2 Angels will be parading around the edge of the pitch and firing out prizes into the lower tiers of the stands.
Is it a bird, is it a plane? No it’s the Injured Players
Two clients of the RFU Injured Players Foundation who have lost none of their spirit of adventure are getting up onto the Twickenham Stadium roof with the help of the Royal Marine Commando Display Team and abseiling down before Sunday’s game, raising awareness of the rugby charity. Look out for them as they descend and then, in their wheelchairs, hand over the match ball – which can be won by following @TheRugbyCharity on Twitter before half time.
In A League of Their Own
At half-time, stars of Sky1 sports entertainment panel show A League of Their Own will be on the pitch, with some of the show’s regular guests competing in a penalty kicking challenge. So stick around at half time to see who will be A League of Their Own’s best kickers at Twickers… Follow the show at @league_official
We hope you enjoy what promises to be a fantastic day of entertainment and cracking rugby on the fourth round of the RBS 6 Nations. After the match… make sure you tag yourself in the O2 Fan360 – our 360-degree stadium photo – and you could win 1 of 5 signed England rugby balls. Just log on to www.o2fan360.com from 9am on Tuesday, tag yourself and share it to say 'I was there'.
Find out more
For more information on your RBS 6 Nations matchday entertainment, check out the following:
Twickenham Stadium (PDF 2MB)
RBS 6 Nations Supporters Guide (PDF 861KB)
