While England rugby players were still operating under COVID restrictions during the Guinness Six Nations, O2’s 5G mobile network was able to project Ellis Genge, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade as 4k holograms to surprise a group of schoolchildren with a ‘world first’ virtual rugby PE lesson.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, England rugby players have had to operate under COVID restrictions, meaning they have been unable to meet fans and the UK public in person.

So ahead of England’s crucial game against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday 12 In March, O2 teamed up with the England men’s rugby team to give a group of Bristol school children a lesson in physical education they will never forget.

Using Portl, a high spec device that uses hologram technology to project users in 4k resolution, England players Ellis Genge, Henry Slade and Jack Nowell jammed a standard physical education lesson at Summerhill Academy through the mobile network 5G of O2.

(Left to right) England rugby players Jack Nowell, Ellis Genge and Henry Slade prepare to appear as 5G-powered holograms to surprise students at Summerhill Academy

Primary school had limited exposure to rugby, so the players took the schoolchildren – a mix of boys and girls aged between seven and 11 – through a variety of introductory training drills ending with a touch rugby match with the stars shouting instructions and encouragement from the futuristic device at a separate location.

To make sure the school kids looked the part, all attendees were given England player shirts to wear during the training session. At the end of the physical education lesson, the children had time to also talk to the players and pose for photos in their hologram form.

The Virtual PE Rugby Lesson is a great example of how the latest technology, powered by O2’s 5G mobile network, can help connect elite-level athletes to help inspire the next generation of rugby players across unforgettable experiences.

Gareth Griffiths, Director of Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, said: “Using the power of O2’s 5G mobile network, we were able to showcase an innovative solution to bring together England rugby players Henry, Ellis and Jack with a lucky group. schoolchildren in a way that, to this day, is unimaginable. Through our partnership with England Rugby, we have exciting plans to continue to provide fans with even more unforgettable experiences through our connectivity.

(Left to right) England rugby players Jack Nowell, Ellis Genge and Henry Slade prepare to appear as 5G-powered holograms to surprise students at Summerhill Academy

Steve Grainger, Director of Rugby Development at RFU, said: “Engaging with local communities is at the heart of the work we do and helps to inspire a new generation of players across the country. Due to the pandemic, this type of technology is a great tool to bring fans closer to the players and helps act as a huge motivation for Eddie Jones and the team when they step onto the pitch.

Ellis Genge, said: “Having been born and raised in Bristol and not having had access to rugby which many have at a younger age, I hope the virtual PE rugby lesson can have a lasting impact on the children. so that they want to play more rugby in the future.

Henry Slade said: “It was absolutely amazing to see this technology in the flesh for the first time and to be able to connect to children in this way is something straight out of the future.”

Pupils at Summerhill Academy in Bristol are surprised by England rugby players Jack Nowell, Henry Slade and Ellis Genge with a virtual PE lesson as they appear as 5G-powered holograms

Jack Nowell said: “The past few years have been very difficult for so many people and we haven’t been able to engage with our fans and the UK public in the way we were used to, so this was very fun to do. this with Bristol schoolchildren.

Chris Barratt, Principal of Summerhill Academy, said: “We are extremely grateful for this opportunity offered by O2 and the RFU. It’s not every day that your students interact with some of the best rugby players in the world. Seeing this happen in our school is something we are very proud of and we hope this technology can be used to train even more children in the future.”

O2’s 5G mobile network is available in over 300 cities across the UK, with the ambition to reach 50% of the UK population with 5G coverage by 2023.

To learn more about O2’s 5G network and their work with the RFU, follow @O2 or @O2Sports on Twitter.