Rugby’s most prestigious prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, has arrived in Italy as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.
The Trophy Tour is visiting 15 countries over 12 months as part of a celebration of Rugby in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2015. During 2014 the Trophy visited Japan, Australia, Fiji, Madagascar, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, USA, the UAE and China.
The Trophy Tour is in the country for two days and will be visiting locations in Milan, Treviso and Rome.
This morning saw the latest part of DHL’s Rugby Vs. the World Challenge, a fun-filled, never-before-seen duel between Rugby and a locally celebrated sport. The Parco Nord Velodrome in Milan was the setting for a meeting of two Italian sporting heavyweights in DHL’s Rugby Vs. Cycling Challenge. Andrea Lo Cicero, a former Italy captain who made 10 Rugby World Cup appearances, took on ‘Super’ Mario Cipollini, widely regarded as one of cycling’s greatest ever sprinters. The two competitors went head-to-head in three unique challenges in pursuit of the DHL Rugby Vs. the World Challenge crown.
This afternoon the Webb Ellis Cup was whisked off by Land Rover on the latest leg of the Land Rover Least Driven Path. Land Rover ambassador Andrea Lo Cicero accompanied the Trophy as it journeyed out of Milan to the Lessinia Mountains and Caves. Lo Cicero, an Italian rugby legend with 103 international caps, took the Trophy on an off-road drive, whilst enjoying the stunning views in the foothills of the Alps. From here, the Trophy continued to Treviso to visit the Land Rover dealership at Gidauto, where Lo Cicero met players from Benetton Treviso Rugby and children from local grassroots clubs.
Tomorrow the Webb Ellis Cup will travel down to Rome where it will visit Unione Rugby Capitolina. The Trophy will also make a special visit to the headquarters of the UN World Food Programme which has a partnership with World Rugby to deliver the Tackle Hunger initiative in the run up to and throughout Rugby World Cup 2015. The visit will conclude with the Webb Ellis Cup as guest of honour at an event hosted by the British Embassy at the MAXXI Museum.
Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, Debbie Jevans, said: “We are pleased to be able to bring the Webb Ellis Cup to Italy, a country which has been ever present at Rugby World Cups and a place where the game continues to grow. We are looking forward to the visit for what will be a celebration of Rugby.”
Rugby World Cup, the third largest global sporting event behind the Olympics and Football World Cup, takes place in England and Cardiff next year between September 18 and October 31. The Tournament will be hosted in 13 venues in 11 cities across the country. Italy is in Pool D with France, Ireland, Canada and Romania. They will play their matches at Twickenham Stadium in London, Elland Road in Leeds, Olympic Stadium in London and Sandy Park in Exeter.
The remaining tickets are on sale at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com, with some currently available for Italy’s opening match of Rugby World Cup 2015 against France at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday September 19.
The Trophy Tour, which is the first time Rugby’s most coveted prize has been showcased around the world, is being delivered in partnership with Land Rover and DHL – two long supporters of the Game and Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners.
Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Italy, Daniele Maver, said: “It is a privilege for Land Rover to be able to take the Webb Ellis Cup to Italy’s Rugby heartland, whilst hopefully inspiring some of the local children with the chance to see the iconic Trophy and meet a Rugby legend in Andrea. Land Rover is committed to supporting all levels of the game, so it is an excellent opportunity to build on this pledge in what will be an exciting year for the sport on the global stage.”
Head of Marketing & Business Development DHL Express Italy, Elena Galletti, said: “We are proud to bring the Webb Ellis Cup to Milan as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, which is the first time Rugby’s most coveted prize has been showcased in this way around the world. As a long-time supporter of the sport and a Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partner, DHL shares the values of speed, passion and teamwork that both our business and Rugby have been displaying to the world.”
