• Schools across England and Wales can now apply to be part of Rugby World Cup 2015 Welcome Ceremonies 
• The 20 competing teams  will be welcomed to the Tournament and the local area in September 2015
• Schools will form part of the vocal performances
• Open to all schools in England and Wales
• Application process via Youth Sport Trust website
• Schools have until 5pm on Sunday March 22 to apply

With excitement building ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015, schools are being offered the opportunity to be part of the ceremonies which will welcome the 20 participating teams to the Tournament in England and Wales.

Each of the 20 teams will be officially welcomed to the Tournament and their respective Team Base regions by local schools in September 2015. The Welcome Ceremonies, delivered by Tournament Organiser, England Rugby 2015, will feature a performance by the selected schools, as well as a celebration of the local community and the game.

The ceremonies will also include the formal presentation of official Tournament caps and Rugby World Cup 2015 participation medals.

Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, Debbie Jevans, said: “We are delighted to offer schools across England and Wales the opportunity to be part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Welcome Ceremonies. The ceremonies will welcome each of the teams to the Tournament and will celebrate the game of Rugby, the local community and the participating teams.

“As part of the next phase of our young person programme, which looks to engage young people with Rugby World Cup 2015, we are looking for vocal performers to be part of the ceremonies and help us to welcome the world to the Tournament.  Schools can now apply to be part of the Welcome Ceremonies programme via the Youth Sport Trust website.”

Primary, secondary and special schools in England and Wales are invited to apply to be part of the Welcome Ceremonies. England Rugby 2015, with the support of the Youth Sport Trust, has opened an online application system via their website.  It is open to groups of between five and 50 pupils who will form part of the vocal performance element of the Welcome Ceremonies, so applications should demonstrate previous experience and capability via a video submission.

Applications can be submitted from today, Friday February 20, until 5pm, Sunday March 22. For full details of how to apply, visit the Youth Sport Trust website. More details including the format and location of Rugby World Cup 2015 Welcome Ceremonies will be released in the coming months.

Welcome Ceremonies are just one part of the Young Person Programme for Rugby World Cup 2015, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and the Rugby Football Union (RFU), which has so far seen thousands of young people engaging in the excitement of the Tournament.