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England Beat Fiji In Rugby World Cup Opener

England Beat Fiji In Rugby World Cup Opener

England's bid to win the Rugby World Cup has got off to cracking start at Twickenham as the host team beat Fiji 35-11.

England outplayed the visitors, scoring four tries to one after spectators - including Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, David Cameron and Prince Harry - were treated to a colourful opening ceremony.

Fullback Mike Brown was man-of-the-match with two tries, earning the plaudits from his coach and captain.

"Brownie was excellent. His ability to beat the first defender is a great trait of his," coach Stuart Lancaster said.

"He plays with such courage, pace and power. He got the game by the scruff of the neck really."

And captain Chris Robshaw was adamant he helped turned the game against a tough-tackling Fiji defence.

"I thought he was great, he has those momentum-changing decisions," he said.

However, it was replacement forward Billy Vunipola's try in stoppage time that really capped the win for England, giving them a bonus point that could prove vital in a tough Pool A also containing Australia and Wales.

However, he was unaware of the importance of his score until afterwards.

"To be truthfully honest with you, I didn't know that bonus points counted in the World Cup," he said.

"I was just more excited that I'd scored a try. It's always good to get over for your country."

Before kick-off Prince Harry gave a speech and told the expectant fans: "There will be moments in this World Cup which will live with us for the rest of our lives.

"Who could forget 1995 and President Mandela handing The Webb Ellis Cup to Francois Pienaar, or that drop kick in 2003.

"To all the players, we congratulate you and wish you well for the tournament."

He also featured in a short film shown to the crowd, in which a teenager, clutching a ball, runs out of the grounds of Rugby School passing two workmen - the prince and Jonny Wilkinson, England's 2003 Rugby World Cup winning hero.

Wilkinson asks the prince "what's he doing?" and he replies "don't worry Jonny, that will never take off".

After the match, thousands of fans heading home were delayed when train services were temporarily suspended when a man fell onto the track at Twickenham station at around 11pm.

A British Transport Police spokeswoman said: "The man was struck by the train which was slowing down to come into the station and suffered head and leg injuries as a result of the incident.

"It is unclear exactly how he came to fall onto the tracks. Officers are working to determine the full circumstances."

An estimated 82,000 people attended the first game of the tournament.

The event will see 20 nations from around the world compete at venues across England and Wales, and around 2.3 million of the 2.45 million tickets on offer have already been sold .