Take That closed the ‘Wear the Rose Live’ event with a greatest hits set at The O2 in London on Thursday night (09.09.15).
The three-piece band thrilled the 20,000 strong crowd of rugby and music fans – which included the likes of McFly’s Harry Judd, Richard Hammond, Jodie Kidd and Vanessa White from The Saturdays – with a career-spanning performance put on in support of England’s rugby team as they enter the World Cup later this month.
Mark Owen belted out fan favourite ‘Shine’ as the band’s opener, backed by bandmates Gary Barlow and Howard Donald and accompanied by a 48-piece orchestra.
Next Gary lent his vocals to ‘Patience’, followed by ‘These Days’ and a few back catalogue hits like ‘Rule The World’ and ‘Back for Good’.
Rugby’s favourite songstress, soprano Laura Wright, sang a moving rendition of the hymn ‘Jerusalem’, prior to the boy band’s show closing set and Ella Eyre buoyed the arena with two separate appearances on stage.
She sang ‘Together’ and later the official England Rugby anthem, ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’.
Compere Vernon Kay introduced the England squad and coaches throughout the evening and urged the crowd to "make them giants" and tweet their support with the hashtag #WearTheRose.
Vernon said: "Rugby has become the epitome of what sports stands for. Supporting the England Rugby Team is what #WearTheRose is all about, it could mean putting a flag in your window of your front room, putting a flag on top of your chimney staff. Or changing your Facebook page. No matter who you are, what you’re trying to achieve. Having someone in your corner, showing their support towards you makes a massive, massive difference."
England kick off against Fiji at Twickenham in the Rugby World Cup on September 19.
Take That wows rugby crowd
