HEREFORD Cathedral will welcome the Webb Ellis Trophy as part of a UK tour ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Fans will be able to see the iconic trophy up close and in person on Saturday, July 18.

England is the host country and organisers will take it on a 100-day whistlestop tour of the UK and Ireland.

The tour will begin on June 10 and end at Twickenham Stadium on September 18, arriving in time for the opening ceremony.

"With less than six months to go we are delighted to announce the locations of the Official Fanzones, alongside details of the 100 day Rugby World Cup Trophy across the UK and Ireland," said Debbie Jevans, Chief Executive Officer of England Rugby 2015.

"The countdown to Rugby World Cup 2015 is on and fans can now really begin to plan their Tournament experience, be it through watching the matches, through Fanzones, the Festival of Rugby and the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.
 

“The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour will be the perfect opportunity to excite and engage fans across the UK and Ireland and make 2015 feel like the year of the rugby nation.

"Delivering a continuous 100 day tour means we can give as many fans as possible the opportunity to see the Webb Ellis Cup and tell us their rugby story as they countdown to their own Tournament experience.

"We have been delighted with the success of the international Trophy Tour, engaging with thousands of people across the globe, and hope to replicate that success when the Trophy Tour goes to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and England.”