Prince Harry kicks off Rugby World Cup 2015 Trophy Tour at Twickenham to mark 100 days to go

Jonny Wilkinson and Prince Harry with The Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham Stadium as part of the 100 day Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour of the UK and Ireland [Picture: David Davies/Press Association for England Rugby 2015/Handout] (Image: PA Wire)

The final countdown to Rugby World Cup 2015 kicked off today at Twickenham Stadium as Prince Harry, honorary president of England Rugby 2015, and Rugby World Cup 2003 winners Jonny Wilkinson and Will Greenwood launched the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.

The trio were joined by schoolchildren from Richmond and Hounslow, as well as RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie, England Rugby 2015 chairman Andy Cosslett and managing director Stephen Brown, and Rugby World Cup Limited director David Pickering, to send the Webb Ellis Cup off on its 100-day journey around the UK and Ireland.

The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour will visit more than 300 events including rugby clubs, sporting events, schools, community festivals and iconic landmarks.

The tour will spend five days in Scotland, five days in Northern Ireland, five days in the Republic of Ireland, 10 days in Wales and 75 days in England, before arriving at the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony on September 18.

Jonny Wilkinson and Prince Harry with The Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham Stadium as part of the 100 day Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour of the UK and Ireland [Picture: David Davies/Press Association for England Rugby 2015/Handout] (Image: PA Wire)

The trophy will pass through Hertfordshire in August, visiting Haileybury School, in Hertford, and Bishop’s Stortford RFC.

Speaking at Twickenham Stadium, Prince Harry said: “This is a very exciting day – just 100 days until the start of Rugby World Cup 2015.

“I am pleased to send the Webb Ellis Cup on the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour which will enable rugby fans from across the country to play their part in the build up to the tournament. “Rugby is a game built on values – respect, pride, teamwork and discipline. In 100 days’ time, England and Cardiff will play host to an incredible festival of rugby with the world’s best players, the world’s best teams and of course the world’s greatest fans demonstrating these values.

He continued: “As we have shown with the Olympic, Commonwealth and Invictus Games, we are a nation of great hosts; a nation that seizes the moment.

Jonny Wilkinson, Will Greenwood (centre) and Prince Harry (right) as part of the 100 day Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour of the UK & Ireland [Picture: David Davies/Press Association for England Rugby 2015/Handout] (Image: PA Wire)

“The world will be expecting us to deliver and I know we won’t disappoint.

“I have no doubt the British public will make every nation feel at home and we will provide the best possible welcome to the 20 teams, and hundreds of thousands of fans coming to the UK.

“This tournament – the most significant moment in English Rugby since that night in Sydney in 2003 – has the ability to broaden the reach of the game and deliver a long lasting legacy for the sport.

“With 48 matches spread across the country, I hope that every community can be part of this tournament and celebrate the game of rugby.”

The 100 day milestone also marks the start of the Festival of Rugby 2015 programme, which will run from June 10 to October 31 and gives events across the UK a way to join in and be part of rugby’s biggest year.

The programme, delivered in partnership with the RFU, enables any event with a connection to rugby or rugby theme to be part of a nationwide festival and is supported via www.festivalofrugby2015.com

England Rugby 2015 managing director Stephen Brown said: “The 100 days to go milestone today marks a key countdown moment for rugby fans.

“We were delighted to be joined by Prince Harry and Rugby World Cup 2003 winners Jonny Wilkinson and Will Greenwood today to launch the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour from Twickenham Stadium.

“The tour will embark on a full 100-day tour of the UK and Ireland, following the successful International Trophy Tour of 15 countries over the last 12 months, and will engage and inspire the nation to be part of this fantastic tournament, enabling fans to create unforgettable memories in the lead up to the very exciting six weeks of rugby ahead of us all.

More than two million tickets have already been sold, 15 Official Fanzones confirmed and 6,000 volunteers recruited to form ‘The Pack’.

Mr Brown added: “As the organising committee we are pleased to be fully on track with our delivery plan.

“We continue to work hard with all our key stakeholders to ensure Rugby World Cup 2015 is a true celebration of rugby for the nation and the watching world.”

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie added: “The iconic Webb Ellis Cup, that will be seen by so many people across the country during the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, will continue to drive excitement as we count down to a tournament that we all hope will be memorable both on and off the pitch. Rugby World Cup 2015 has the ability to create a step change in interest in participation for rugby in England that will benefit generations to come.

“The RFU aims to deliver a meaningful legacy by creating more capacity, improved facilities, more people – coaches, officials and volunteers – and more schools offering rugby and we continue to work closely with England Rugby 2015 to maximise the impact both in 2015 and beyond.”