Petition for removal of “excruciatingly awful” Rugby World Cup song reaches ITV

Theme songs can make or break the coverage of a major sporting event.

Football's last two World Cups have got it just right, with 2014's 'Brazil...Braaaziiilll' only outdone by K'Naan's majestic 'Wavin; Flag' in 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTJSt4wP2ME But rugby union's elite tournament has failed to reach those high standards, according to the nearly 2,000 people who have signed a petition opposing Paloma Faith's cover of World in Union. The song is covered by a different artist for each tournament, with previous versions recorded by the likes of Shirley Bassey, Kiri Te Kanawa and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. But Faith's version is far from popular, as the letter below - addressed to broadcasters ITV- explains. Those signing the petition have described the performance as "excruciatingly bad", "gratingly awful", and "like a cat being strangled". Is it that bad? We'll let you be the judge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLe1jhKVe4I