Former England captain Martin Johnson is urging rugby fans in Sussex to catch a glimpse of the World Cup when the RFU’s Sweet Chariot Tour arrives in the county next week.

The Webb Ellis Cup visits Crawley, Eastbourne, Seaford, Brighton, Worthing and Bognor on Friday and Saturday, April 2-3.

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

" Bringing the Webb Ellis Cup to Sussex 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 tour starts in Crawley where the cup goes on show to the public at Queens Square (10.30am-1.30pm) before travelling to the Arndale Centre in Eastbourne (3-5pm) and Seaford RFC.

The trophy then rejoins the RFU's main exhibition unit for an evening of rugby at Brighton rugby club where there are veterans and youth team matches taking place under floodlights.

The exhibition unit - a 40-ton open-out interactive trailer that contains the RBS Six Nations Championship Trophy, the Calcutta Cup and the Women's Six Nations Trophy - moves to Brighton's Churchill Square shopping centre the following morning.

The cup then stops off in the centre of Worthing before going to Bognor RFC, where the home team are playing Sussex rivals Lewes, before returning to the Worthing club in Roundstone Lane, where the day's events finish with Tag rugby, touch rugby and a band, bar and buffet.

In total, the Sweet Chariot Tour stops off at more than 250 clubs, schools and shopping centres in all to give people the chance to see the trophy and encourage them to take up the game.

Since Jonny Wilkinson's drop-goal secured England's victory over Australia in Sydney last year, clubs are reporting a huge upsurge of interest in the game.

Many are reporting a 20 to 30 per cent increase in junior numbers and Sussex's clubs will be present at each local event as part of a national recruiting drive.

Print and broadcast media are welcome to visit any of the events but are asked to register their interest with Simon Mills at the RFU on 07702 661214

More 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.

SUSSEX TOUR ITINERARY

Friday, April 2
Holy Trinity School, Crawley (9.30-10.30am)
Queens Square, Crawley (10.30am-1.30pm)
Arndale Centre, Eastbourne (3-5pm)
Seaford RFC (5.45-6.30pm)
Brighton FC (7-10pm)

Saturday 3rd April
Churchill Square Shopping Cente, Brighton (8.30am-12pm)
Montague Place, Worthing (12.30-2pm)
Bognor RFC (3- 5.30pm)
Worthing RFC (6-10pm)