England vs South Africa: The Queen sends good luck letter to Eddie Jones ahead of Rugby World Cup final

The England rugby team received a letter from The Queen wishing them good luck ahead of the Rugby World Cup final and to express her “best wishes for a memorable and successful match”.

The letter, which was addressed to Eddie Jones and hand-delivered by Prince Harry, arrived on the morning of the final against South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama which will culminate the first World Cup to be staged in Asia.

The Duke of Sussex has been the Patron of the Rugby Football Union since 2017, and has flown out to Japan to watch the final in Yokohama, taking with him a letter from The Queen for the squad, coaches and backroom staff.

“Your performances during the have delighted supporters, and inspired many people throughout the country,” the letter read.

“I send my congratulations to the England team, management and support staff on reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, together with my very best wishes for a memorable and successful match.”

It is one of thousands of good luck messages the team have received, with Jones’s football counterpart Gareth Southgate, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and the national cricket team taking the time to wish England the best ahead of their date with destiny.

This morning England will face South Africa with the chance to become world champions for only the second time in their history.

“We’ve had a couple of messages,” said 23-year-old flanker Sam Underhill, who will be winning only his 15th cap today. “Prince Harry sent us a nice message of support, which was nice to receive. He showed us his little lad in an England shirt, which was a nice touch. But I’m still waiting on my personal message!”

Manchester City boss Guardiola also sent a good luck message to England coach Jones, with the Spaniard having been invited into the camp during the Australian’s four-year reign.

“All the best, good luck,” Guardiola said. “It’s an honour for England to be in the final. It’s an incredible event for England. All the best.”

The England cricket team has also past on their best messages, with wicketkeeper Sam Billings passing on the team’s best from their tour of New Zealand to close friend Jamie George, who starts alongside Underhill.

But it’s not just the famous names and faces that have touched the squad this week. Thousands of England fans have descended on Tokyo and Yokohama this week, desperate for tickets and accommodation, and the squad are set to be given a raucous departure from the team hotel before a sea of white welcomes the team bus to the International Stadium Yokohama for England’s first World Cup final in 16 years.

“I’d just like to say that the fans back home have been unbelievable for us,” said lock George Kruis. “We’ve felt the buzz from mates back home, texting and giving us a picture of what it is like, and I’d also like to thank the local clubs, which do an amazing job of getting us here, by starting us on the journey. Big appreciation to them.”