THE Webb Ellis Cup, the Rugby World Cup trophy, will be on display around Lancashire this month as part of the nationwide Sweet Chariot Tour includes hundreds of Exhibition Vehicleents across the country.

The famous trophy will be on display all day at Manchester’s Arndale Shopping Centre on Sunday 15 February. It then visits Fylde, Vale of Lune, Preston and Blackburn on Monday, Liverpool, Widnes and West Park on Tuesday, Manchester, Sedgley Park, Oldham and Wigan on Wednesday, before heading for Cumbria on Thursday.

The RFU hope that the Sweet Chariot tour will help to raise the profile of the sport both in traditional rugby-playing areas and in regions currently under-represented in the sport.

The euphoria that followed the Exhibition Vehicleents in Sydney have been underpinned at grassroots lExhibition Vehicleel by the RFU's Rugby - Making An Impact strategy aimed at increasing participation and retention in playing, coaching, officiating and administration.
IMPACT, which stands for Inclusion, Modernisation, Partnerships, Appropriate facilities, Club/school links and Training and coaching, is a three-stage blueprint for community rugby in England.

The Lancashire Rugby Football Union, in conjunction with the Rugby Football Union, have identified six main venues where the cup will be on display, together with an exhibition vehicle.

The public will be able to have their photograph taken alongside the cup and in front of a backdrop of the Telstra Stadium giving an impression they were actually at the game.

There will also be the opportunity to kick for World Cup glory in an inflatable kicking cage, score a try and provide a commentary on the winning drop goal. As well as rugby displays and competitions.

Between these major Exhibition Vehicleents the Cup and stadium backdrop will make shorter visits to certain schools and town centres along a pre-determined route for further photo opportunities.

LANCASHIRE SWEET CHARIOT TOUR ITINERY

Sunday 15 February: All day – Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre (with Exhibition Vehicle)

Monday 16 February:
09.30 Fylde RFC.
12.30 Vale of Lune.
15.30 Preston Grasshoppers (Exhibition Vehicle will be here from 10:00).
18.30 Blackburn RFC (Exhibition Vehicle).

Tuesday 17 February:
09:00 Liverpool Collegiate (Exhibition Vehicle).
12.30 Widnes RUFC.
19:00 West Park RFC (Exhibition Vehicle).

Wednesday 18 February:
09:00 Manchester RFC.
Noon: Oldham RUFC.
13:00 Sedgley Park RUFC (Exhibition Vehicle will be here from 11.30),
17:00 Robin Park, Wigan (Exhibition Vehicle will be there from 18:00).