Rugby World Cup Kicks Off; Transport Incident Sparks Chaos

(ATR) The 2015 Rugby World Cup began with a royal flourish but the evening was marred by transport chaos after the match.

More than 80,000 spectators filled London's Twickenham stadium to see the start of the eighth Rugby World Cup, with the hosts taking on Fiji.Prince Harry joined World Rugby president Bernard Lapasset in officially opening the tournament.

But the transport problems after England's victory over Fiji spoiled the evening for some fans.

Spectators queued in their thousands to get to the Twickenham train station to get back into London. Barriers kept numbers at bay, as the station struggled to cope with the huge numbers of fans. Public transport had been a major problem for tournament organisers in previous World Cup tests in the area.

Reports emerged around an hour after the final whistle that an "incident" had occurred on the train track.British Transport Police reported that aman fell on the track and was struck by a train at Twickenham railway station after the opening game. He suffered head and leg injuries but was not said to be in a critical condition.

The station was evacuated, leaving thousands of spectators seeking other modes of transport to get home late on Friday evening. Shuttle buses were brought in but some of the stranded fans complained that there were not enough.

Transport Issues Ahead

One of the biggest challenges for Rugby World Cup organisers over the coming weeks is transportation.

Across the 13 venues in England and Wales, it has been in the capital where public transport has proved most troublesome with severe delays occurring earlier this year at World Cup test events.

Roads surrounding Twickenham were closed to help pedestrian access and shuttles were provided from nearby stations.

But Around the Rings witnessed trains not being properly filled by crowd control stewards, with many left barricaded while seats went empty on trains bound for London Waterloo.

Earlier, fans had been treated to a rousing win as England beat Fiji 35-11 to kick-off six weeks of international rugby.

Before the match, the crowd were treated to a video featuring PrinceHarry alongside former England international Jonny Wilkinson – the prince emulating his grandmother's star turn at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. Many remember with fondness the Queen's appearance in a James Bond spoof film at the Olympic opening.

Prince Harry was also at Twickenham in person to address the crowd. "There will be moments in this World Cup which will live with us for the rest of our lives," he said.

"Who could forget 1995 and president Mandela handing the Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar or that drop kick [by Wilkinson] in 2003.

"To all the players, we congratulate you and wish you well for the tournament. Your individual skill is to be celebrated but I can think of no other sport where the success of the team is shouldered so equally by everyone."

Stage Set for Record-breaking Tournament

World Rugby chief Lapasset also gave a speech once the opening ceremony festivities had finished, which included dance performances and the singing of traditional English hymns.

"The stage is set for a very special and record-breaking celebration of rugby" he said. "Over 80 teams from around the world have competed to play on rugby’s greatest stage. And now it is time for the very best players to step forward and captivate and inspire the next generation of players and fans.

"Never has a tournament been so eagerly anticipated and never has the host been so ready. Our special thanks go to the Rugby Football Union, the England 2015 organising committee, the pack of superb volunteers and most of all you; the wonderful fans of rugby."

England, champions in 2003, are one of the favourites to triumph in the final on Oct. 31 thanks to their home advantage. But they will have to overcome the New Zealand All Blacks who are the holders of the Webb Ellis Cup and are the number one side in the World Rugby rankings.

No team, however, has managed to retain the trophy.

Reported in London by Christian Radnedge

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