10 August 2007
Birthday boy Lawrence Dallaglio, who is 35 today, has backed Facebook band Blake and their World Cup release of Swing Low.
The opera group, who formed on the cult social networking website Facebook, will sing England Rugby’s official anthem for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, after performing the song for the first time at Twickenham tomorrow, Saturday.
And 2003 World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio, who as a school boy sang backing vocals on Tina Turner’s hit ‘We don’t need another hero’, said, “I'd like to wish Blake every success with their version of Swing Low Sweet Chariot.
“The song is special to England supporters and to the players. It’s great to hear a chorus break out during a Twickenham match as it always adds to the atmosphere.
“It's particularly good to hear it when we're abroad too. I will always remember the fans singing Swing Low it in the first semi final of the 2003 RWC and England weren't even playing! All the best with the song, guys."
The first official rendition will be sung tomorrow, Saturday 11 August, when Blake will perform before the England v France Investec Challenge match at Twickenham. Not only will this be a big test for the England team, but it will mark a huge achievement for Blake. Only months ago, the boys were singing to 20 friends at parties; now they’re performing to a crowd of at least 66,000 at the Home of England Rugby.
The boys from Blake said, ‘We’ve all played rugby in our time and are huge fans of the national team. To sing at Twickenham is an enormous honour. We know the team will be giving it 100% and so will we.”
The single is being released digitally on 3 September in time for the 2007 Rugby World Cup which kicks off on Saturday 7 September.
Tickets for this Saturday’s Investec Challenge England v France match, kick off 5pm, are available on the day priced from £10 for under 16s and £45.00 for adults, subject to availability.
For more information on Blake please contact tony.woods@umusic on 07725 819 484.
For more information on England Rugby or Twickenham Stadium please contact Nicki Drinkwater on 020 8831 6626 or nickidrinkwater@rfu.com.
Note to Editors: Rights free photos of Blake and England players Matt Stevens, Joe Worsley, Lee Mears, Danny Cipriani, Jamie Noon and Andrew Sheridan singing are available from nickidrinkwater@rfu.com
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