IRISH rugby fans braved the heavy rain on Monday evening to welcome Ireland’s rugby stars to Burton upon Trent, their home during the World Cup campaign.
The team – who will be based at St Georges Park in nearby Staffordshire – attended a ceremony at Burton Town Hall for the 20th and final welcome ceremony for the World Cup teams.
Ireland captain Paul O'Connell thanked the people of Burton for their warm welcome and gave a little insight into what the players will get up to on their day off.
At the ceremony, they were treated to a rendition of the rugby anthem World in Union by Coventry’s Alderman Green Primary School Choir, many of whom have Irish connections themselves.
The players also received their green caps and tournament participation medals from World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper, signed autographs and posed for photos with the excited fans.
