Rugby World Cup: Wales fans to join Marseille singalong

Wales fans are being urged to join another singalong on Saturday in Marseille before the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.

Gatherings of supporters belting out traditional songs have drawn crowds of hundreds in the French cities that hosted Wales' pool matches.

The organiser, Huw Davies, said he had been "blown away" by the positive reaction.

They have also been watched by tens of thousands on social media.

Wales prop Gareth Thomas also paid tribute to the "unbelievable" following that the squad have had at the tournament.

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What started as a social media plea before the opening game soon became a staple pre-game ritual.

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Hundreds of Wales fans gathered in Bordeaux city centre before the game against Fiji - despite the 30C+ degree heat - to enjoy favourites such as Calon Lan, Bread of Heaven and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

Following the first flashmob success, similar gatherings were organised in Nice, Lyon and Nantes which also drew substantial crowds.

"It's what we do, singing is part of our soul, and I thought it'd be great for us as supporters and local people in the French cities to see what we're about," said Huw Davies, originally from Carmarthenshire and now living in Cardiff.

"They've been so positive - every time it's been getting bigger and bigger.

"As you know, the Welsh need no excuse to turn up and sing, and it's been great, we've enjoyed their appreciation."

Huw is a member of the Cardiff Blues choir, who have been a core part of the events, but singers and fans have joined them from all parts of Wales.

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"We're an ad hoc group but most of us sing in choirs, so we hope the standard has been reasonably good," he said.

"We did expect some people to come, but we have been blown away slightly by the numbers."

One of the more "gratifying aspects", he added, had been the positive reaction from people back in Wales watching clips on social media.

"It was great, and even the Welsh team on their podcasts referring to these flashmobs and how much they appreciate our presence here as a group of fans."

Wales prop Gareth Thomas said: "Everywhere we've been, they've travelled.

"You see the videos of them singing on planes and in the streets, they've been amazing."

They have have also made a lasting impression on Meryl Haynes, who has spent the past seven weeks travelling around France with her husband Steve in their motorhome.

They joined the singing crowds in Bordeaux and Nice, with Meryl describing it as a "unique" experience.

"The Welsh need no excuse to turn up and sing," says Huw Davies, with his wife Lisa

"It was just an immense feeling of pride, of showing people that even though we're a small country we have a big heart," she said.

"It really was quite a crowd - we'd seen it on social media beforehand, we told other people, they were telling others, and it just spread by word of mouth.

"Being in amongst all the other Wales fans was such a buzz - we're always passionate about out country, our language, and you could see some of the locals just stopping to watch and being stunned by it all."

Soprano Jessica Robinson joined the choir as a special guest at the singalong in Lyon, and BBC Radio Cymru presenter Shan Cothi has been lined up to join the chorus for Marseille's event.

Huw Davies was optimistic that Wales' tournament will not end this weekend.

"I've already had people from the flash mob asking are we doing one in Paris [for the semi-final]," he said.

"I said yes, of course we are, let's be positive!"

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