The opening ceremony of the Touch Rugby World Cup brought nearly 3500 people to the pitch in representation of their countries, as the biggest Touch competition begins in Nottingham.

Led by James Hancock, who is set to get his 50th cap this tournament, the Luxembourg delegation proudly waved the nation's flags as they took to a pitch that was bubbling with excitement as the various nations presented themselves.

Luxembourg at the Touch Rugby World Cup
Led by James Hancock, the Luxembourg delegation enters the pitch during the opening ceremony of the Touch Rugby World Cup.

Monday was also the day the Luxembourg Men's 30 team faced Ireland, a team containing several players from the Open/Elite side that last year were runners up to England in the Euroean Championships.

In a competitive first half, Luxembourg restricted the Irish to four touch downs, but found it difficult to cope with the electric pace of the Irish in the second 20minutes. Still an encouraging start for the minnows of the Touch World, as they look forward to two games on Tuesday against the Cooke Islands, who are often called 'Australia's B team' (a game that is happening as we 'speak'), and later the United States.

The Touch Rugby World Cup is taking place between 15 and 21 July in Nottingham, England.