Women's World Cup welcomed to Exeter

City will host seven matches

Rugby squads from France and Italy have been welcomed to Devon in a grand ceremony at Exeter Cathedral.

The city is hosting the two nations during the Women's Rugby World Cup, which kicks off with an England-USA match on Friday night.

On Saturday, France and Italy will go head-to-head in a first round match at Sandy Park.

Yesterday, three Devon bishops and the Dean of Exeter Cathedral beamed as civic leaders, representatives from the blue-light services, and girls' rugby teams from around the area saw French and Italian captains receive their nations' caps and tournament medals.

The Very Rev’d Jonathan Greener said “I’m thrilled to have hosted the opening ceremony for the Women’s Rugby World Cup. It’s the first time in 975 years that the Cathedral has ever hosted a world cup event, so that’s a huge excitement and joy and privilege for us all.

"It's the noisiest event we've ever had here," he quipped.

Before the ceremony the Bishop of Exeter, supported by the Bishop of Crediton and Bishop of Plymouth, hosted the Exeter Chief’s Women’s team and other rugby representatives for a celebration event at the Bishop’s Palace. 

Emily Robinson, a player for the Exeter Chiefs Women, said: “This is really exciting, Exeter’s a rugby city and a sporting city and it’s a brilliant place to host the World Cup. People here really love sport, and I know the support for the teams and for the games will be really immense, which will be brilliant for those taking part in the World Cup.”

Bishop Mike and the Cathedral Dean were each presented with a commemorative world cup rugby ball by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Ann Jobson.