Vunipola has his eyes on the prize in Japan

No8 wants tournament to remember all his life Itoje joins in England’s charm offensive of locals

Billy Vunipola urged his England team-mates to create memories of a lifetime at the World Cup as the squad received their official tournament welcome here yesterday.

Vunipola took part in a traditional wish-making ceremony as the squad were welcomed by Shigetaka Mori, the president of the Japan Rugby Football Union, and Bill Beaumont, the World Rugby chairman, at the Mizayaki Prefectural Government Hall.

After a striking performance by Taiko martial arts drummers, each member of England’s 31-man squad received their World Cup caps from Beaumont, while Mori handed them participation medals.

The No 8 was then invited to take part in a Daruma doll eyepainting ceremony, regarded as an act to encourage good luck and perseverance, painting one eye before making a wish. To complete the symbolic act, the second eye is filled once the desired goal achieved.

“I wish that whatever we do in the next few weeks will live with us for the rest of our lives,” said Vunipola.

Maro Itoje, who gave an address to their hosts in Japanese, said: “I’m incredibly excited that we’re here in Miyazaki and I can’t wait to get started. Every day in the World Cup process I’ve been involved in so far has been a little different. I’m in a completely new and fresh country with new experiences every day. There are different people, different culture and a different lifestyle. I’m living it day by day and am enjoying it as much as possible.

“There’s a good feeling at the moment. This is the longest period of time that we’ve spent together for an awful long time. You can tell the whole squad feels together and that we’re building towards something. We feel as if we’ve grown tighter and more cohesive.

“I think I would have been ready to go without the cap. I am very excited, it’s going to be an awesome World Cup and an awesome couple of weeks. I can’t wait to get going.

“One of the few things in rugby I haven’t experienced is the World Cup. On a personal level, I’m incredibly excited to get going and experience it and see how the atmosphere is, see how we can relate to the people of Japan.” is

England open their tournament against Tonga in Sapporo on Sunday and Itoje said he was aware of the physical threat they would pose, having played alongside Vunipola and his brother Mako, who are from Tongan descent, both for Saracens and on the international stage.

“I’ve seen what those two have done to people! It can be dangerous if you allow it to be. We know how physical they are and how much Tonga as a country love rugby. They’ll definitely be up for it. We know that they’re an incredibly physical side. From one to 31 they have big boys who are physical and aggressive. They have huge athleticism as well. I’m sure it will be a great game.”