The Webb Ellis Cup returns to its spiritual home before stopping off at the White House - all in the space of 24 hours in Essex next week.

The trophy is on a four-month Sweet Chariot Tour of the country as part of the Rugby Football Union's commitment to offer the game to new people and places.

It arrives in Essex on the evening of Thursday, March 18 for two and a half days of events starting at Barking RFC, the first club of Jason Leonard, the world's most capped international player.

And on Friday morning the cup moves on to the home of the man whose name it bears - William Webb Ellis himself.

The man credited with the invention of the game at Rugby School was the rector of St Mary Magdalen in Magdalen Laver, near Ongar, from 1855 until 1870.

The current rector, the Revd Charles Masheder will host a service and assembly for children from a local school, their parents and officials from local clubs.

Later that day the cup will be in Chelmsford for a civic reception at an equally impressive 18th century location.

The venue, Hylands House, stood in for the White House during the filming of the Warner Brothers movie Chasing Liberty being released later this year.

Later that afternoon the Webb Ellis Cup travels to nearby Great Baddow School, where a youth and disabled rugby tournament is taking place, before finishing the day at the Old Brentwoods Sports Club.

For the whole of the Saturday, the Sweet Chariot Tour is based at Europe’s largest shopping centre – Lakeside, in Thurrock.

The cup will be at Lakeside 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.

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 throughout the country to give people the chance to see the trophy and encourage them to take up the game.

Its success has been endorsed by Martin Johnson, who lifted the cup as 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 Essex 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.”

Print and broadcast media are welcome to visit any of the events but must register their interest with Essex RFU press officer Ivor Smith on 01708 474425 or 07957 434854 or by email to ivorsmith@essexrugby.com

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

Thursday March 18

Barking RFC, trophy on display (7pm-9.30pm)

Friday March 19

Magdalen Laver Church, school assembly and photo opportunity (8.30-9.15am)

Met Police Sports Club, Chigwell, coaching sessions for schools and clubs (10am-12pm)

Hylands House, Chelmsford, Mayor’s reception for Essex RFU (1-2pm)

Great Baddow School, Chelmsford, schools and disabled rugby tournament (2.30-5pm)

Old Brentwoods Sports Club, social evening for Essex clubs (7pm-9pm)

Saturday March 20

Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock, Sweet Chariot Roadshow, (9am-7pm)