Scrummy soprano suffers chilly wardrobe malfunction while singing anthems ahead of Le Crunch at Twickenham
By MIKE DAWES
Singer Laura Wright was somewhat underdressed for the wintry weather when she wore one of her trademark slashed-to-the-waist dresses to sing before England’s Six Nations victory over France.
As the 22-year-old belted out the National Anthem in bitterly cold conditions, her white underwear was exposed to 81,000 fans at Twickenham and millions more at home.
BBC television cameras pulled away from the full-length shot of Laura leaving viewers wondering whether it was deliberate or an accidental ‘wardrobe malfunction’.
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Forgot her thermals: Singer Laura Wright was somewhat underdressed for the wintry weather yesterday when she sang the national anthems before England's impressive Six Nations victory over France at Twickenham
Commentator John Inverdale said after her performance Laura ‘must have had something thermal on’.
Parts of the UK were blanketed with snow as an icy blast from Scandinavia continued to grip the country. More cold weather, and snow flurries in some areas of the UK, are expected today.
Laura also plays full-back for Rosslyn Park Ladies - the aptly named ‘Slingbacks’ - in south-west London.
‘Rugby is in my blood as I started playing at school and have three older brothers who also play,’ she said.
‘I love sport and took up rugby properly last year as I really enjoy being part of a team. I’m not the kind of person to live life carefully. It is full-on contact rugby I play.
Cold conditions: In one of her trademark slashed-to-the-waist dresses, the 22-year-old exposed her white underwear to 81,000 fans at Twickenham and millions more at home
‘It’s a different feeling stepping out on to a pitch in a glamorous dress and heels compared to boots and gumshield.
‘From playing rugby, I definitely found even more respect for professional sportsmen and how focused dedicate you must be.
‘I always get nervous before playing matches – just as I always get nervous before signing no matter how small the performance is.’
Laura, who has also sung in front of the Queen, says that she had to make a decision whether to embark on a career singing or following her sporting ambitions.
Deliberate? BBC television cameras pulled away from the full-length shot of Laura, leaving viewers wondering whether it was deliberate or an accidental 'wardrobe malfunction'
Many talents: Laura had to make a decision whether to follow her singing or sporting ambitions
While attending the 16,000-a-year Framlingham College near Woodbridge, Suffolk, where she had a scholarship, she captained the school’s hockey, netball and tennis teams. She also went on to represent the East of England at hockey and competed in the national athletics school championships by throwing the javelin.
The singer is currently in her final year studying Opera at the Royal College of Music after winning a scholarship. Since then she has sold more than 2.5million copies of her debut album, The Last Rose, and released a second, Glorious.
She was appointed England’s first official anthem singer last year after performing at Twickenham and at Wembley for football’s Champions League and FA Cup finals.
Rugby in her blood: Laura plays full-back for Rosslyn Park Ladies in south-west London (above and below)
England captain Chris Robshaw was named man of the match, his credentials to lead the British and Irish Lions growing stronger by the match.
'We pride ourselves on our defence, and in the first half it was pretty sloppy,' said Robshaw, who was man of the match as the French buckled after leading 10-9 at half-time, having profited from far too many missed tackles.
'We were too slow coming out of the blocks and Wesley Fofana scored a brilliant individual try. But credit to the guys, we stuck at it and when we got our attack going we found some space.
England had beefed up their side in preparation for a power contest with the inclusions of Manu Tuilagi, Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes - who made his first Test start at blindside flanker.
The collisions were thundering, the breakdown battle ferocious. It was an arm-wrestle with few moments of artistry.
At the end it was England who were still standing. With three consecutive defeats, France have now equalled their worst start to a Five/Six Nations championship for 31 years.From pre-tournament favourites they are now bottom of the table.
Matchwinner: Manu Tuilagi's try proved decisive as England beat France by 10 points at Twickenham
Captain marvel: England skipper Chris Robshaw was named man of the match for his back row performance
VIDEO Did Laura Wright have wardrobe malfunction during anthem?
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2283650/SIX-NATIONS-2013-Soprano-Laura-Wright-wardrobe-malfunction-Twickenham-ahead-England-v-France.html#ixzz2Lp8TqUjx
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