England and Wales embrace Japan as the 2019 Rugby World Cup comes to life

Official welcome ceremonies for England and Wales finally brought a sense that Japan is ready to take the Rugby World Cup by storm

The Rugby World Cup came to life on Monday as the England squad received their official caps as part of a spectacular traditional Japanese welcome in Miyazaki, while in nearby Kitakyushu, more than 15,000 fans turned out for a Wales training session.

What has been a rather low-key build-up to the tournament exploded as each team was officially welcomed into the tournament, which will see the World Cup take place in Asia for the first time.

For Maro Itoje, the England lock, it was a chance to fully embrace the culture of a nation he had never been to before, and the 24-year-old seized the opportunity by starting his speech in Japanese as he addressed listeners inside the Miyazaki City Hall – which included England legend and current World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.

“I'm incredibly excited that we're here in Miyazaki and I can't wait to get started,” said Itoje, this time in English. :Every day in the World Cup process I've been involved in so far has been a little bit different. I'm in a completely new and fresh country with new experiences every day. There are different people, different cultures and a different lifestyle. I'm living it day by day and am enjoying it as much as possible.

“It's a great place. The weather's lovely - I actually didn't know Japan is this tropical. It's hot and humid and is great for training. We're staying at a great venue so all round it's an awesome experience.”

Some 300km north on the island of Kyushu, thousands queued hours on end in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius to pile into the Kitakyushu Stadium to watch Warren Gatland’s Wales train ahead of their official welcoming ceremony, where fans were given hymnsheets to join in with the Welsh national anthem as well as other songs in what felt like a carnival atmosphere.

For the first time this autumn, the World Cup finally felt like it was ready to begin, now that the cricket summer is over. The team ceremonies come just four days before the tournament’s opener as hosts Japan face Russia in Tokyo. On the same day, Eddie Jones will name his first England team of the World Cup, with the Australia set to select the 23 players who will face Tonga in Sapporo on Sunday.

“I am very excited, it's going to be an awesome World Cup and an awesome couple of weeks,” Itoje added. “For me it was getting on the flight to Japan. Ever since I got into the England team, everything has been about 2019, about the World Cup. When I actually got on the flight and arrived into Tokyo, it felt 'oh, we're here'. It's been amazing ever since.

“One of the few things in rugby I haven't experienced is the World Cup. On a personal level, I'm incredibly excited to get going and experience it and see how the atmosphere is, see how we can relate to the people of Japan.”

While England will be expected to get off to a winning start against Tonga – the weakest side in Pool C according to the World Rugby rankings – they have first-hand experience of what the Pacific Islanders can do if given the opportunity thanks to their own Polynesian insiders, the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy.

Maro Itoje collects his 2019 Rugby World Cup cap at England's official welcoming ceremony (Getty)

“We have two boys of Tongan heritage in our team,” noted Itoje. “We know that they're an incredibly physical side. From one to 31 they have big boys who are physical and aggressive. They have huge athleticism as well. I'm sure it will be a great game.

“I'm sure as the week goes on they'll speak a little more about it. I've seen what those two have done to people! It can be dangerous if you allow it to be. We know how physical they are and how much Tonga as a country love rugby. They'll definitely be up for it.

“We have an awesome team. We play a big Test this Sunday against Tonga and we definitely don't want to overlook them. Our focus is on Tonga.”

The England rugby squad receive their World Cup caps and show off a Daruma Doll presented to them in Miyazaki (AFP/Getty)

Fittingly, it was left to Billy Vunipola to sign off England’s opening ceremony by making a wish and painting the eye of a Daruma Doll, a gift to bring perseverance and good luck to the team. And what was Vunipola’s wish? "I wish that whatever we do in the next few weeks will live with us for the rest of our lives.”