RUGBY Union’s greatest international prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, is set to visit Weymouth & Portland later this summer.

The cup, famously lifted by Martin Johnson after England’s World Cup triumph in 2003, will arrive on July 12 at Weymouth & Portland Rugby Club as part of the seaside outfit’s annual beach festival and the rugby World Cup trophy tour.

Launching on June 10, 100 days before the opening match of this year’s World Cup, Weymouth and Portland will be a number of stops for the prize as the the trophy will travel through Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and England before arriving at Twickenham Stadium on September 18 ahead of the competition’s opening ceremony.

The Monmouth Avenue outfit will welcome the tour alongside their annual festival, open to everybody who wishes to enter a team.

The event will also take on a World Cup theme with sides encouraged to play as national teams taking part in this year’s global competition.

Chris Davis, secretary of Weymouth & Portland RFC said: “This will be a great honour for the club and Weymouth & Portland to host the trophy tour at our annual beach rugby festival and will be a highlight of this year’s event.”

A spokesperson for England Rugby 2015, said: “With less than six months to go we are delighted to announce that Weymouth & Portland will host the rugby World Cup trophy tour on its 100-day journey across the UK and Ireland.

“The rugby World Cup trophy tour will be the perfect opportunity to excite and engage fans across the UK and Ireland and make 2015 feel like the year of the rugby nation.

“Delivering a continuous 100-day tour means we can give as many fans as possible the opportunity to see the Webb Ellis Cup and tell us their rugby story as they countdown to their own tournament experience.”

The journey throughout the UK and Ireland aims to engage fans in the build-up to the competition.

In addition, host cities, match venues, community and legacy programmes, sports events, stakeholder visits, worldwide partner activations and iconic landmarks will feature as part of the trophy tour with more than 300 events programmed in total across the 100 days.

Rugby World Cup trophy tour information can be viewed at rugbyworldcup.com/trophy-tour, full details on the locations and events will updated throughout.

  • For more information or to enter a team in the beach festival, email Chris Davis on beachrugby@weymouthandport landrfc.org.uk