STATEMENT: World Rugby confirm change to anthems

Rivoal emphasised that these revised anthems will be crafted to better align with expectations and will be subjected to teams' feedback for further refinement.

The youth choirs will also sing these reworked versions.

“Feedback from the unions we consulted was positive,” France 2023 CEO Julien Collette said.

“This retains the voices of the children. Children will be present in the stadium. All the unions choose the recorded version in conjunction with the fans and teams. We believe it is very important that the children and their supervisors receive a very warm welcome in the stadiums.”

He added: “The anthems were tested, and each version signed off in advance by the unions.

“The effect of the chorus, combined with 80,000 fans in the Stade de France on Friday, created a bit of confusion in the experience, so that led to us taking the decision to use a version more in sync with the fans, without having the effect of juxtaposing the voices.”

TV has decided to eliminate the use of lecterns for their World Cup pundits, responding to criticism about the visual appeal of these props.

Previously, pundits were positioned behind lecterns, a setup that had drawn comparisons to a general election debate according to fans. Following public outcry and feedback from Twitter users, ITV has opted to do away with the lecterns.

20. Phillipe Saint-Andre (France) - A dynamic winger turned coach, Saint-Andre's speed and flair graced French rugby. His coaching prowess took him from player to national team leader, shaping the future of French rugby.

19. Lawrence Dallaglio (England) - A fearless back-row giant, Dallaglio captained England to Rugby World Cup glory in 2003. His powerful runs and tireless work ethic defined English rugby.

18. Sergio Parisse (Italy) - Italy's rugby icon, Parisse's leadership and skill at number 8 made him a legend. His dedication elevated Italian rugby on the world stage.

17. John Dawes (Wales) - A Welsh rugby hero, Dawes captained the British and Irish Lions to a historic series win against New Zealand in 1971, showcasing his tactical brilliance.

16. Will Carling (England) - Carling's charisma and leadership made him an iconic England captain. His center partnership with Jeremy Guscott was legendary.

15. Agustín Pichot (Argentina) - Pichot's tenacity and vision at scrum-half symbolized Argentine rugby's rise. A Rugby World Cup semi-finalist and influential administrator.

14. John Smit (South Africa) - The captain of South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning team, Smit was an exceptional hooker known for his grit and leadership.

13. Paul O'Connell (Ireland) - A towering second-row, O'Connell led Ireland with passion and inspired his team to Six Nations victories. His work rate and lineout skills were unmatched.

12. Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand) - An All Blacks legend, Fitzpatrick's precision at hooker and leadership defined an era of New Zealand dominance.

11. Sam Warburton (Wales) - Warburton, a superb openside flanker, captained Wales and the Lions. His commitment and turnover skills were pivotal to his teams.

10. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) - Ireland's greatest ever center, O'Driscoll's dazzling footwork and rugby IQ made him a true legend. An icon of the sport.

9. Sarah Hunter (England) - A powerhouse in the women's game, Hunter led England to World Cup success and is a symbol of women's rugby excellence.

8. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) - Wales' most-capped player, Jones is a relentless lock and captain. His durability and leadership have made him a modern-day legend.

7. Thierry Dusautoir (France) - Dusautoir, a fierce openside flanker, led France to a Rugby World Cup final and was known for his tackling and work rate.

6. Willie John McBride (Ireland) - An Irish and Lions legend, McBride's leadership in the pack was legendary. His tough and physical style inspired a generation.

5. John Eales (Australia) - A giant of Australian rugby, Eales combined intelligence with athleticism as a lock. His leadership and kicking prowess were remarkable.

4. Siya Kolisi (South Africa) - Kolisi, South Africa's first black captain, led the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 2019, symbolizing unity and excellence.

3. Francois Pienaar (South Africa) - Pienaar captained South Africa to their first Rugby World Cup victory in 1995, uniting a nation with his leadership and vision.

2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand) - A legendary openside flanker, McCaw's breakdown mastery and leadership made him one of rugby's all-time greats.

1. Martin Johnson (England) - A colossus in the second row, Johnson led England to their first and only Rugby World Cup victory in 2003. His presence and leadership were unparalleled.