The royal with a surprise cameo in the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony film

Prince Harry stole the show at the 2015 Rugby World Cup opening ceremony in England yesterday,  with a surprise cameo in a short film depicting the game’s history.

At the Twickenham ceremony yesterday, a short film was screened to the crowd of more than 80,000 spectators, with Prince Harry making a tongue-in-cheek joke about the games less-than-traditional origins.

“Don’t worry Johnny - that’ll never take off,” Harry says to a fellow gardener in the video, as they watch Ellis run past with the ball.

As history tells it, rugby was created after schoolboy William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and began running with it during a class soccer game in 1823.

Prince Harry, the honorary president of England Rugby 2015, opened the event with an impassioned speech, saying the game had dramatically changed his life.

“It remains a game founded on a code of values. Values which are as important today, both on and off the field of play, as they have ever been,” he said.  

“Across the country, regardless of age, background or beliefs; this nation, which gave rugby to the world in 1823, will join together and celebrate the game like never before.”

The opening film also featured famous rugby players including Australia’s own David Campese, England’s Jason Robinson, Fiji’s Rupeni Caucaunibuca and All Black player Jonah Lomu.