The Rugby World Cup arrived in County Durham for two days on Sunday as part of a 100-day tour before the Finals begin in England in October.
DTW has been working closely with the Durham Rugby Football Union to showcase a series of public events where the William Webb Ellis Trophy has been on display and has been seen by thousands of people in the region from Gateshead Stadium to the Angel of the North; from Durham Cathedral to West Hartlepool Rugby Club.
The trophy ended its stay in County Durham at Barnard Castle School where a celebratory dinner was held to recognise the great work done by all the volunteers in the region and for making the two-day leg of the tour such an enormous success.
England RFU President Jason Leonard and former Newcastle Falcon and England international Ollie Phillips were on hand to meet the public, pose for pictures and as a World Cup winner, one of the few people allowed to hold the trophy, Jason helped take it from the Land Rover convoy to it’s various public locations.
Our team had great fun with Jason, Ollie and the RFU crew and we helped to generate tremendous interest from local media in the event which you can read, watch and listen to here:-
- Northern Echo
- Hartlepool Mail
- Sunderland Echo
- Evening Chronicle
- Shields Gazette
- Tyne Tees News
- BBC Tees
- BBC Radio Newcastle
We’re looking forward to enjoying the tournament, especially the three games at St James’ Park and especially England beating New Zealand in the final!
Thanks to Mark Savage for the photographs. All photographs taken at the Festival of Rugby at Palace Green, Durham Cathedral and the Angel of the North, Gateshead.