Cathedral hosts rugby world cup opening ceremony

The two teams will stay in Exeter for the month-long tournament

Exeter Cathedral has hosted a Women's Rugby World Cup opening ceremony for the Italian and French teams.

The two teams will stay in Exeter for the month-long tournament, which kicks off on Friday.

At the opening on Saturday, a procession was held before a ceremony inside the cathedral which featured the Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Dr Mike Harrison, the Dean of Exeter Cathedral, the Very Reverend Jonathan Greener and Exeter's Lord Mayor.

The teams were then greeted by hundreds of representatives of women and girls' rugby teams who had been invited to the event.

The Bishop of Crediton, the Right Reverend Moira Astin, said: "It's so exciting to have this competition here in Exeter and to meet the women's teams.

"When I was in my teens and 20s no-one could even contemplate that women would be allowed to play rugby.

"It's so wonderful to see women fulfilling their potential in rugby as well as in other sports."

The team captains then made speeches thanking the people of Exeter for their welcome.

France and Italy will play each other at Sandy Park on Friday.