Rhydian to raise the roof
27th November 2009, 3:29 pm By Principality Stadium
The Welsh Rugby Union will be hitting all the right notes with fans tomorrow – as Rhydian Roberts is set to perform new hit ‘O Fortuna’ before the Invesco Perpetual Autumn Series clash with Australia at the Millennium Stadium.
The classically trained X Factor finalist will raise the iconic roof with the title song from his new studio album before joining the traditional choir for a medley of Welsh rugby favourites and the national anthems.
Rhydian, who sang for the first time at the Millennium Stadium at the Grand Slam party in 2008, said: "I’m so grateful to the WRU for giving me this opportunity to fulfil a life time ambition of mine.
"The Millennium Stadium is my favourite place to sing and I’m more excited than ever before about tomorrow’s encounter between Wales and Australia. Diolch o’r galon. Cymru am byth!"
A sell-out crowd will fill the Millennium Stadium this weekend to watch a Wales team that has risen to sixth in the IRB world rankings clash with third-placed Australia in the autumn’s final game.
And fans wanting to beat the rush can take advantage of the matchday experience as the iconic venue welcomes fans to enjoy that all-important build-up and offers the chance to stay late and celebrate after the final whistle.
The leading rugby unions in the world go head-to-head tomorrow with four must-watch clashes held in Europe and the gateway to all the matchday action – the Cardiff Arms Café Bar – will be showing the top sporting action when it opens to the public from 10.00am until midnight.
The Café Bar, situated above the WRU Store on Westgate Street, showcases some of the most prestigious memorabilia from Cardiff’s iconic sporting stadium and will play out Ireland v South Africa and Scotland v Argentina (at 2.30pm), Wales v Australia (at 5.15pm) and France v New Zealand (at 8.00pm) to the fans on their top-of-the-range screens.
Millennium Stadium general manager Gerry Toms said: "The matchday experience has been transformed for fans in recent years and we are proud of the great party atmosphere here at the Millennium Stadium.
"This week we expect that fans will be at their best for the final game of the Series as Wales take on one of the top teams in world rugby in front of a sell-out crowd and we urge those fans to soak up the entire matchday experience on offer at the home of Welsh rugby."
Throughout the Autumn Series more bars than ever before remain open for an extra 90 minutes with the popular offer of ‘£5 for a pie and a pint’ found at the units on the half way line at level 3 and level 6.
"There’s always a great collection of sing-songs to be heard on level 6 and level 3 around the late bar units on both sides of the half way line after the games and I hear that a pie and a pint manages to keep the party going," added Mr Toms.