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

The famous trophy will be visiting Gateshead Metro Centre, Wallsend, Northumbria University, Ashington, and Cramlington during its stay in the county.

The Sweet Chariot Tour is in full swing with 37,500 people seeing the Webb Ellis Cup in its first five days on the road.

The response has been staggering and, with another 16 weeks to go, the tour is well on target to reach the 2 million mark - many new to the game of rugby.

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 events in Sydney have been underpinned at grassroots level 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.

Northumberland Rugby Football Union, in conjunction with the Rugby Football Union, have identified two main venues where the cup will be on display, together with an exhibition vehicle, the RFU’s new 40-ton open-out interactive Travelling Exhibition Unit which also contains the RBS 6 Nations Championship Trophy, the Calcutta Cup and the Women’s 6 Nations Trophy.

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

The Sweet Chariot tour is in association with sponsors EA SPORTS, Ford, Holiday Inn, Land Rover and Lucozade Sport.

NORTHUMBERLAND SWEET CHARIOT TOUR ITINERY

Sunday 22 February:

All day: Gateshead Metro Centre (with Exhibition Vehicle).
6pm Wallsend RFC.

Monday 23 February:

7am Metro Radio.
9am All Saints School Assembly.
11am Northumbria University.
2pm Ashington RFC (with Exhibition Vehicle)..

Tuesday 24 February:

Cramlington High School Assembly.

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