A  choir from The Queen's Church of England Primary School in Richmond took centre stage as Italy were officially welcomed to Rugby World Cup 2015 at Hampton Court Palace on Monday.

The choir performed  World In Union in front of an audience including leading figures from World Rugby, England Rugby 2015 and the RFU, as well as the players and their families.

Each member of the Italy team was presented with a tournament cap and Rugby World Cup 2015 participation medal after welcome speeches from World Rugby board member David Pickering, RFU chairman Bill Beaumont and chief executive of Surrey Sports Park Karen Rothery.

Italy and Leicester Tigers hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini said: "It's a special day for the players - those who have not played a Rugby World Cup before and those who have, like Mauro Bergamasco who is on his fifth World Cup.

"We are looking forward to starting playing and the big challenge that is France on Saturday night in our first game. We would like to thank everyone from Rugby World Cup management.

"And we would like to thank Karen from Surrey Sports Park. It is a great base for us. Thanks every one and we will do our best."