YOUNG people from Queen Elizabeth's School in Wimborne have been selected to welcome a team to the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Members of the school's vocal group will sing the Rugby World Cup anthem, World In Union, as part of a welcome ceremony for the team from the USA to Portsmouth, which will be their base during the event in September and October.

The ceremony will also include the formal presentation of official tournament caps and Rugby World Cup 2015 participation medals.

Queen Elizabeth's School is one of just 20 across the UK which will be part of the welcoming celebrations for the teams taking part in this year's Rugby World Cup.

Steve Glover, musical director for Queen Elizabeth's School, said: "I am thrilled that our talented singers have been selected for this prestigious event.

"We are aiming to inject our customary soulfulness into the performance and welcome the American World Cup squad and their honoured guests with a fabulous rendition of World in Union."

He said that the vocal group are busy working on an original arrangement which they will be rehearsing throughout the summer.

The application process was led by independent charity, Youth Sport Trust, and was open to all schools in England and Wales, with 100 submissions made in total.

Ali Oliver, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "We are very excited to be able to offer this unique opportunity for schools to be involved in the Welcome Ceremonies for Rugby World Cup 2015.

"We hope that it will impact not only the pupils performing but the whole school to engage with the tournament in a way that inspires learning.

"The Youth Sport Trust is delighted to support and work with Queen Elizabeth’s School and England Rugby 2015 and we look forward to seeing great creativity in the school performances."

Stephen Brown, managing director of England Rugby 2015, said: "Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth’s School on being selected to be involved in the Welcome Ceremonies for Rugby World Cup 2015.

"We were really pleased with the response that we got from schools wanting to be involved. We now have 20 excellent choirs from across England and Wales that will help us to welcome the participating unions to the tournament and make it a celebration of rugby.

"We hope this will provide them with unforgettable memories and give them and the teams a fantastic tournament experience."