Twickenham, United Kingdom--Britain's Prince Harry delivered some indirectly poignant words of advice for England's rugby players on Wednesday as he appeared at Twickenham to mark 100 days until the World Cup begins.
The prince, fifth in line to the British throne, spoke about the importance of "discipline" and "values", as well as "respect", as he prepared to send the Webb Ellis Cup on a trophy tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
It will visit rugby clubs, schools, events and community festivals in the build-up to the tournament's opening game on September 18 between hosts England and Fiji.
Harry, who stood alongside former England great Jonny Wilkinson discussing rugby balls and England's chances of winning the World Cup, said he was "very much relishing the event".
Hundreds of flag-waving schoolchildren joined the rugby-mad prince and Wilkinson outside the gates of England's HQ to give the trophy a rousing send-off.
The prince, the honorary president of England 2015, is aiming to attend as many England games as possible during the tournament, where he hopes to see Stuart Lancaster's men succeed.
So far the preparations have hardly gone to plan, with hooker Dylan Hartley and centre Manu Tuilagi dropped by head coach Lancaster for on- and off-field disciplinary problems.
Harry said: "Rugby is a great, wonderful game built on values, respect, discipline. We in this country have a fantastic opportunity to host the greatest event the sport has to offer."
Wilkinson also had advice for the current crop of players dreaming of emulating him and the rest of England's 2003 World Cup-winning squad.
"To win a rugby World Cup, it needs clear and strong leadership," said the former Newcastle and Toulon fly-half.
"You need mental toughness and players who can rely on each other when the intensity is at its highest during the tournament. You must realise it is do or die."
AFP
