SUFFOLK soprano Laura Wright yesterday realised a long-held ambition to become the England rugby squad’s official anthem singer.

Miss Wright, a former Framlingham College student, currently studying at the Royal College of Music, said it was a dream come true to be asked to sing before England’s international matches.

Speaking between tutorials yesterday, she said: “It all started when I sang at Portman Road for the dedication of the Bobby Robson Stand in 2009. I just loved the feeling you get back from the crowd. Then I sang at Twickenham for the England-Wales rugby international in 2011 and it took off from there.

“I love rugby, I have just taken up the sport myself, and I have always had a wonderful reception at Twickenham.

“Since the Olympics, public support for sport has really taken off in this country and I think the RFU (Rugby Football Union) wanted to do something to make the matches against South Africa and New Zealand special along with all the Six Nations games next year.

“I obviously have had a relationship with Twickenham and I think it seemed the right time to take it to the next level.

“I have to say it is a real honour and I’m very excited to be asked to be the official anthem singer.

“The atmosphere at Twickenham when the team run out in front of a packed crowd of 82,000 is unlike anywhere else.”

This latest success comes at the end of a busy year for Miss Wright, who has sung before the Queen more times than any other artist in 2012.

She is currently singing Pie Jesu at the Royal Opera House for the Royal Ballet.

For now she is concentrating on her studies as she moves through her final year at the Royal College of Music.