Japan beat Russia 30-10 in opening match of 2019 World Cup
Hosts seal bonus point with four tries at sold-out Tokyo Stadium
Japan wing Kotaro Matsushima scores hat-trick
Flanker Pieter Labuschagne runs clear for Japan's other try
Russia's Kirill Golosnitskiy notched tournament's first try in fifth minute
#bbcrugby and 81111 on text
Image source, Getty ImagesConsidering some of the more unusual pieces of rugby memorabilia on offer in Japan, we are after the prize pieces in your collection.
Got a cap with Bokkie - the giraffe mascot from South Africa 1995 - in your locker?
Send us a pic on #bbcrugby on Twitter or a message on 81111 on text.
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Tokyo Stadium
There have been concerns that fans won’t have enough beer at this year’s tournament so Tokyo Stadium has a team of beer dispensers who will work their way through the stands.
(Other beer brands are available obvs)
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesJust in case you weren't plugging into the BBC Sport app first thing this morning, this is the team news you may have missed.
England coach Eddie Jones has opted for the George Ford-Owen Farrell as a 10-12 axis for his team's opener against Tonga.
Andrew Conway and Jordan Larmour get the nod for Ireland's team to face Scotland.
While Scotland team Duncan Taylor and Sam Johnson in the centres.
Japan v Russia (11:45 BST)
Matt Dawson
England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesI was excited when I woke up this morning.
I checked my phone to see the England team and I thought every time I wake up for the next seven weeks, there will have been news overnight.
I can't wait.
Japan v Russia (11:45 BST)
Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent in Japan
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Japanese do not do things by half. Practically everyone is in a Cherry Blossoms shirt and it is going to be a sell-out.
Everyone is in their seats, but even though the hosts are playing, we saw a lot of fans from other countries.
As we get deeper into the tournament it will be a invasion of rugby fans worldwide.
Japan v Russia (11:45 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Tokyo Stadium
There were concerns before the tournament began that it might not capture the imagination of Japanese fans given that it’s in the shadow of next year’s Olympics and Paralympics, which will take place in Tokyo.
There was a rugby poster at Tokyo’s airport but it was behind a Paralympics banner.
But the number of rugby fans on Tokyo’s metro earlier and the atmosphere in the stadium during that opening ceremony suggest this tournament won’t fall flat.
Image source, BBC SportJapan v Russia (11:45 BST)
BBC Radio 5 Live
Every match of Japan 2019 will be live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds.
Coverage of the very first has just started. Tune in via the top of this page or on your digital wireless.
The excitement has been building all day in Tokyo with fans queuing up outside the stadium well before kick-off.
Red and white was everywhere.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Reuters
Image source, PAJapan v Russia (11:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesRight, that was fun. Let's have a little look at how the atmosphere has built towards this match in Tokyo earlier today.
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Tokyo Stadium
There are lots of England fans in the house apparently. The team’s announcement got a huge cheer.
But there are even more Kiwis - New Zealand was met with a big roar.
The noise for Japan was goosebump-inducing.
Text 81111 (UK only).
You have to love the enthusiasm and excitement the Japanese fans bring to their sporting occasions. There will be no such thing a a flat atmosphere at this World Cup and every team will have incredible support.
Alex, Cardiff
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony
As well as those in the stadium, the fan parks across the country are also full of fans!
Here is the scene in Sapporo, where England will begin their campaign against Tonga...
Image source, WhatsappRugby World Cup
"Over the next six weeks we will experience the very best of rugby and the very best of Japan as excitement sweeps this great nation," said World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.
"I know Japan will be the most welcoming of hosts, you are the best."
"The waiting is over and the stage is set. It's now over to the teams and the fans to make this the best World Cup ever."
Image source, Getty ImagesRugby World Cup opening ceremony
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Tokyo Stadium
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont just said good evening to the crowd in Japanese and they said it back. So polite. I really cannot get enough of these fans.
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony
Bill Beaumont, the chairman of World Rugby, steps up to offer his words of welcome.
He drops a 'konichiwa' at the start and an 'arigato' at the end, with some standard English rhetoric sandwiched in the middle.
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Tokyo Stadium
So that’s why Richie McCaw skipped the accreditation queue earlier. Fair enough.
Image source, BBC SportRugby World Cup opening ceremony
This is a bit like the part in Under Siege with the cake. A bit.
Mt Fuji drops away to reveal former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw beneath lifting the Williams Webb Ellis Cup aloft.
McCaw looks a little shell-shocked as he offers the trophy to every side of the stadium.
He descends the steps of his little dais and plonks the little golden fella up on a pedestal on the touchlines.
Image source, ReutersRugby World Cup opening ceremony
Gather round the campfire, it is time for a collective rendition of World in Union.
Still gets me. The children belt it out while a little potted history of the Rugby World Cup itself is projected onto the bedsheet Mt Fuji behind.
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony
Image source, ReutersAh, this is something we can all get behind.
A replica of Mt Fuji is erected in the middle of the pitch and onto its slopes is projected a history of rugby union showing the game's spread around the globe.
Around its base groups of schoolchildren represent each of the competing teams, with Japan predictably garnering the biggest cheers.
Rugby World Cup opening ceremony
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Not precisely sure what is going on here, but the red and black checkerboard design reminds me of a 1980s bedspread.
Onwards.