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THE Rugby World Cup trophy will be arriving in Bahrain on its regional tour of the Gulf on Saturday – offering rugby fans the chance to see the trophy.
The Webb Ellis Cup – the official name of the trophy – lands in Bahrain at the start of a regional tour which will also take in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
It will then head back to France, where later this year 20 nations will play 48 matches over six weeks at 12 venues.
Ellenor McDonnell, marketing executive at Bahrain Maritime Mercantile International (BMMI), the organisers of the event, said the Gulf tour is being organised by Rugby World Cup official sponsor, Heineken.
She added: “It will ensure that as many Gulf-based rugby players and fans get a chance to see the trophy before the action begins in France.
“The Ellis Cup will be picked up at the airport by three Hummers from the academy at Bahrain International Circuit and brought to BIC.
As well as being paraded at the home of motor sport in Bahrain, the Ellis Cup will visit the British Club between 1-1.30pm. The cup will then be taken to the Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) in Saar.
BRFC manager Bob Phillips said: “BRFC is making sure that families and younger fans can also have their moment of glory with the trophy as it arrives at the closing of our mini-rugby programme. There will be a photo call with the Webb Ellis Cup at the BRFC grounds on Saturday afternoon with photo opportunities starting from 3pm-7pm.
“To be associated with the William Webb Ellis Trophy is every rugby players dream. Only five men in history have achieved it, and therefore for a large number of aspiring athletes at Bahrain Rugby Club this will be as close as they can come to emulating their heroes.
“To have ‘The Cup’ present at the closing ceremonies of our Mini Rugby programme for 2006/07 will only serve to make the occasion even more special.”
