
The 2015 Rugby World Cup began in England Friday, with Prince Harry -- honorary president of the tournament -- delivering a speech during the opening ceremony.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the 80,000-strong crowd at London's Twickenham Stadium.

A military band plays for the crowd ahead of the opening match between England and Fiji.

A giant rugby ball dominates the center of the field during the opening ceremony.

The two teams line up for the national anthems behind the Webb Ellis Cup, the prize for the world champions.

England's Mike Brown sprints free to score the second try of the match. The full back added another in the second half as the host's eventually ran out 35-11 winners.

George Ford of England successfully converts under the lights at Twickenham.

Twickenham Stadium will host 11 World Cup matches.

An artist paints outside Twickenham ahead of England's game against Fiji.

Brace yourself for plenty of men and women in fancy dress over the next six weeks.

And one or two selfies ...

Not forgetting lashings of face paint ...

No major global sporting event would be complete without a few libations. Here England rugby fans drink at The Eel Pie pub near Twickenham.

These England fans are coming up smelling of roses.

Over in Wales Cardiff Castle was trending on Twitter after a giant rugby ball was embedded in its wall. Unfortunately Wales' team has also been torn apart by injury in the lead up to the tournament, losing the influential Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Harry attended Thursday's gala to welcome some of the world's best rugby players who will take part in the six-week tournament.

Jonny Wilkinson (left), who kicked England to World Cup final glory in 2003, shares a joke with Prince Harry.

Fiji warm up ahead of Friday's opening match.

England captain Chris Robshaw (left) is pictured warming up with Jonny May.

Romania's players are all smiles ahead of their eighth World Cup. Romania's group includes Canada, France, Ireland and Italy.

Canada's players are presented with international caps during the team's welcoming ceremony at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, Wales.

Uruguay's players strike a pose in Cardiff ahead of their opening game against the Welsh on Sunday.

Tonga's back row forward Hale T. Pole is hoping he can ink his name in the history books and take the Pacific Islanders out of the pool stages for the first time. Tonga's group includes Argentina, Georgia, Namibia and holders New Zealand.

Australian flanker Sean McMahon shows off his tattoos at the University of Bath.