The four-month-long Sweet Chariot Tour will see the trophy won by the World Champions 2003 visit 290 venues from Cumbria to Cornwall, Northumberland to Kent.

In association with tour sponsors EA Sports, Intercontinental Hotels, Land Rover and Lucozade Sport, the Cup will be present at a range of venues, from 11 shopping centres in cities such as Manchester, Leicester and Bristol to projects in rugby clubs and schools.

In line with the RFU’s commitment to provide an enjoyable and accessible game for more people at all levels from the Zurich Premiership to grassroots, it will also be taken to communities currently under-represented in the sport.

The euphoria of events in Sydney have been backed up by RUGBY – MAKING AN IMPACT – the RFU’s strategic plan to increase participation and retention in playing, coaching, officiating and administration.

Standing for Inclusion, Modernisation, Partnerships, Appropriate facilities, Club/school links and Training and coaching, IMPACT is a blueprint for community rugby in England.

The Cup, along with the RFU’S new Exhibition Unit, will be available to each of the RFU’s 35 Constituent Bodies, who will arrange a programme of rugby activities which will include social inclusion, volunteering and club-school link projects.

England Head Coach Sir Clive Woodward said: "Winning the World Cup has given the whole nation a boost. Taking the Cup around England is a wonderful opportunity to build on the success by encouraging people to get involved in all areas of rugby.

"There is a vast amount of work done by a lot of brilliant people at grassroots level and without that the game just would not develop. It is important that they can now use the Cup for activities that will provide the next generation of England players from existing and new rugby communities."

Robin Park Arena will be hosting the event on the evening of Wednesday 18^th February from 6.30pm – 9.pm. events will include a rugby 10’s competition, Coach Development session from Orrell coach Ross Reynolds, as well as the trophy itself and the RFU Exhibition Unit

Dave Paton, RFU Development Officer for Greater Manchester added "Robin Park Arena has a recent history with hosting Rugby Union events and I am pleased that we can bring the roadshow to the area to help continue the massive interest in the game, as well as say a huge thank you to all those clubs in the area who continue to work hard in promoting the game within Wigan"

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