Rugby fans line-out for England victory parade

The streets of London will be echoing to Swing Low Sweet Chariot today, as thousands of rugby fans cheer Jonny Wilkinson and his team-mates on England’s victory parade.

Supporters from across the country are expected to converge on the capital to honour England’s rugby world champions.

The team is touring London on two open-topped buses, ending with a tumultuous rally for thousands of fans at Trafalgar Square.

Later they are meeting the British Queen for a reception at Buckingham Palace and a trip to Downing Street.

About 10,000 supporters gathered at Heathrow Airport last month when the England squad flew home, proudly clutching the Webb Ellis Cup, having beaten defending champions Australia 20-17 in a pulsating Sydney final.

But the Rugby Football Union, the game’s governing body, still expected a huge crowd for today’s parade, with the authorities urging fans to get there early.

The parade was officially starting at noon at Marble Arch, with the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Jan Prendegast, cutting a red ribbon across the arch.

World Cup hero Wilkinson, coach Clive Woodward and team captain Martin Johnson are joining the rest of the squad on two open-top “Sweet Chariot” buses.

Under police and horse escort they are slowly travelling along Oxford Street to Oxford Circus before turning into Regent Street.

At this point the buses are travelling down the opposite side of the road. They are then moving slowly around Piccadilly Circus, down Haymarket to their final parade destination on the North Terrace of Trafalgar Square.

The crowds in Trafalgar Square can expect the squad to arrive at 1pm, where they are being greeted by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and thousands of England rugby supporters.

The Webb Ellis Cup will be proudly held aloft to the crowd by the players and rugby commentator John Inverdale was interviewing members of the England squad.

This is being relayed by a public address system to the crowd.

For the benefit of the thousands in Trafalgar Square, there will also be two giant TV screens showing live footage during the entire parade.

The world champions are expected to be in Trafalgar Square until 1.20pm.

After 4pm the entire England squad and their partners will visit Buckingham Palace to have tea with the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

They will also attend an official reception with Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street at 6.30pm.

Jonny Wilkinson will be back at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to be presented with an MBE by the Queen for services to sport.

Scotland Yard have not given an estimate of the numbers expected, but say 500 officers will patrol the march.

A spokesman said: “It is very difficult to make an estimate. Officers will be deployed to cope with the event, but we will deal with any numbers that turn up.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter, in charge of Territorial Policing Operations, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this victory parade for the England rugby team and want to do all we can to make sure the day passes as best it can. I think it’s realistic to expect many people will come into Central London to lend their support to the players.”

On the eve of the parade an Australian minister made a public appeal for rugby fans to “do the right thing” and return the rugby world cup final’s match-winning ball to England.

“The ball may have been taken by an Aussie, equally it could have been a Pom,” said Sandra Nori, the minister for tourism, sport and recreation in Australia’s largest state, New South Wales.

“Regardless, on behalf of the people of Sydney and NSW, I implore, in the spirit of fair-play, whomever has the ball to do the right thing and find a way of returning it.”