Paul Thorn

Brighton Dome is one of 17 UK landmark venues chosen to host international teams for the Rugby World Cup 2015.

The Japanese and Samoan Rugby Teams will be welcomed by the children of Brighton’s Westdene Primary School (for Japan) and Chestnuts Primary School of Bletchley (for Samoa). Both will sing the song World in Union for the players.

Managing Director of England Rugby 2015, Steve Brown, said: “We are delighted to have secured Brighton Dome to host the Welcome Ceremony for both Japan and Samoa. These landmark locations from across England and Wales broaden the reach of the Tournament and will be great settings for us to welcome the players and management. These events will be a celebration of the team’s achievements, alongside a warm local welcome as the 20 best teams arrive for Rugby World Cup 2015.”

World Rugby Chairman, Bernard Lapasset, added: “Rugby World Cup 2015 is about communities and Teams uniting to celebrate Rugby, sport and friendship and these official Team Welcome Ceremonies really will set the tone for the Tournament. Representing your team on the greatest of stages is the pinnacle of any player’s career and the culmination of years of dedication and passion. Britain is renowned for its exceptional warm welcome and love of major events and I am sure that these ceremonies the length of breadth of England and Wales will be very special and cherished by both the Teams and welcoming communities alike.”

As well as teams being welcomed by local primary school children, the ceremonies will also feature the presentation of Tournament Caps and Participation Medals.

A collective of HIV community organisations renew their call on decision makers to make PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) available to those most at risk in the UK of becoming infected with HIV.

The PROUD study which took place in Kenya and Uganda saw PrEP reduce the risk HIV transmission by 96% in 1000 heterosexual men and women. The same remarkable results could be replicated to reduce HIV transmission amongst gay men in the UK if PrEP were widely available. Amongst those behind the call to make the preventative treatment a public health imperative include GMFA and THT.

Dr Michael Brady

THT Medical Director, Dr. Michael Brady, said: “It’s so important that all of us working in HIV now come together to ensure PrEP is made available for those most at risk. The longer we delay the more preventable HIV infections will occur. THT will continue to campaign until the government, NHS England and local authorities agree to use PrEP to put HIV in the past.”

The organisations are asking the public to sign an online statement to make PrEP as standard for HIV prevention to those who need it most.

To add your voice in support of the call, click here: