Rugby World Cup opening ceremony LIVE!
A sold-out Tokyo Stadium will be treated to a celebration of both modern and ancient Japanese culture during the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony this morning.
Hosts Japan go in as heavy favourites when they open the competition against Russia but before the first ball is kicked Tokyo will be treated to a spectacular show in front of a world-wide audience.
Blue Impulse, the aerobatics squadron of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force, will be the headline act in a performance which aims to "illustrate the passion, expectation and excitement the people of Japan have for the tournament.”
Follow Standard Sport's LIVE coverage below!
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TV channel, live stream and start time
ITV will have live coverage of the opening ceremony from 10:25am, taking you straight into the opening game of the tournament which kicks off at 11:45am.
You can also tune in via the ITV Hub.
What’s on the show?
The Rugby World Cup’s official website promises a ceremony that will “draw on deeply symbolic Japanese cultural references to illustrate the passion, expectation and excitement the people of Japan have for the tournament.”
Japan Rugby World Cup 2019 Organising Committee CEO Akira Shimazu said: “The message of our opening ceremony is that connections made through sport, through both its simplicity and universal appeal, can help build better understanding and friendship by inspiring people of all nations with the promise of a bright, positive future.
"Rugby has the power to unite through its ethos of respect, inclusion and integrity and our sincerest hope is that the tournament has this effect. From rugby enthusiasts to fans of Japanese culture, the opening ceremony has something for everybody, setting the scene for an unforgettable tournament.”
