Rugby World Cup 2019 opening ceremony: Start time UK, live stream, TV channel and who is performing in Japan? – The Sun

JAPAN are set to get the party started on this year's Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Union is a minority sport in the country and the hosts are hoping that a successful run in the tournament will inspire a nation.

Reigning champions New Zealand are the bookies favourites to life the Webb Ellis Trophy, with England, Australia, Wales and Ireland all in with a big shout.

When is the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony?

THIS is the first time that the World Cup has come to Asia and Japan.

The hosts traditionally get the tournament started and will face Russia at Tokyo Stadium on Friday, September 20.

Kick-off is at 11.45am BST.

Organisers have released a teaser of what to expect under the lights in Tokyo for the opening ceremony.

A press release read: "Combining the ancient with the modern, the opening ceremony will draw on deeply symbolic Japanese cultural references to illustrate the passion, expectation and excitement the people of Japan have for the tournament.

"Encapsulated in the theme of a Japanese festival, the ceremony tells the story of the mythical dawn of time, rugby’s origins and its arrival in Japan, and the blossoming of Rugby World Cup into today’s global showpiece, as the ninth edition breaks new ground by being hosted in Asia for the first time."

The opening ceremony will be available to watch for UK audiences from 10.25am BST, just in time for the official start at 6.30pm local time.

Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?

JAPAN's Pool A clash with Russia is live on free-to-air TV in the UK.

And as such you can catch the game and the opening ceremony on ITV1.

Coverage of the ceremony begins at 10.25am, before the match build-up from 11.30am.

If you want to stream, the ITV Hub or TVplayer are the places to go – but make sure you have a valid TV licence.

Who is performing?

THE ceremony has been kept under wraps until the day itself.

But rumours suggest that Japan's version of the Red Arrows – the Blue Impulse – will be making an appearance in the Tokyo skies.

And singer Ayaka Hirahara is set to perform on the pitch before the players do battle.

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