The Rugby World Cup won by England visits Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire next week.

More than 250,000 people across the country have seen the trophy in its first month on the road as part of the RFU's Sweet Chariot Tour.

The tour stops off at more than 250 clubs, schools and shopping centres to give people the chance to see the trophy and encourage them to take up the game.

It starts its progress through the Eastern Counties in Norfolk on Sunday, March 14, and then travels through Suffolk and Cambridgeshire over the next two days.

The tour's success has been endorsed by Martin Johnson, who was England captain in Sydney after the 20-17 win over Australia last November.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from the public," said Johnson.

"Bringing the Webb Ellis Cup to the Eastern Counties and the accompanying events is a great opportunity to get more children, young adults and past players playing and involved in rugby throughout the region.”

The Eastern Counties is hosting three major town centre events - in Norwich, Ipswich and Ely on March 14, 15 and 16 respectively - as well as visits to clubs and schools during their leg of the tour. All the events are open to the public.

The cup will arrive be in Norwich, Ipswich and Ely in the RFU’s new 40-ton open-out interactive Travelling Exhibition Unit, which also contains the RBS Six Nations Championship Trophy, the Calcutta Cup and the Women's Six Nations Trophy.

Visitors to the exhibition can practise their rugby skills with kicking and passing games as well as learning more about the clubs in their area and how to take up the sport.

Sunday March 14 sees the Webb Ellis Cup arrive in the Castle Mall Shopping Centre in Norwich at 10.30am before moving on to Thetford RFC at the end of a day of rugby for all age groups from youth teams to veterans.

On Monday the exhibition unit will be at Sudbury RFC for a schools rugby tournament from 10am before moving to the exhibition unit outside the town hall in Ipswich from 12.45pm, then at Colchester RFC from 5pm to 7pm at the end of a day of youth rugby.

On Tuesday the tour heads north to Kings Lynn and the Lynnsport Leisure Centre from 9.30am to midday, where local schools are taking part in a Tag Rugby tournament. The cup makes its way back to the exhibition unit at Ely Maltings until 4.30pm, then to a social event for children and volunteers at Scaltback Middle School in Newmarket before arriving at its final destination, Shelford RFC, at 6.45pm.

Print and broadcast media are welcome to visit any of the events but are asked to register their interest with Eastern Counties RFU press officer Mel Evans on 01284 704480 or 07930 433017 or to mel@electric-soup.co.uk.

Information about the Sweet Chariot tour is also available on the RFU Community Rugby hotline 0906 6800805 and www.rfu.com

The tour takes place in association with sponsors EA SPORTS, Ford, Holiday Inn, Land Rover and Lucozade Sport.

ITINERARY

Sunday 14th March
Castle Mall Shopping Centre in Norwich (10.30am-4.30pm)
Thetford RFC (6-7pm)

Monday 15th March
Sudbury RFC schools event (10am-12pm)
Ipswich Town Centre (10.30am-4.30pm)
Colchester RFC schools & club event (5pm-7pm)

Tuesday 16th March
Kings Lynn, Lynn Sports College for schools event (10.30am-12pm)
Ely Maltings, Ely Town Centre (10.30am-4pm)
Scaltback Middle School, Newmarket (4.30-6pm)
Shelford RFC (6.30pm onwards)