Rugby World Cup comes to Eastbourne

There was a rush for cameras as the Rugby World Cup came to Eastbourne.

The gilded silver cup arrived under tight security at the University of Brighton’s campus and sports centre in Denton Road.

The cup is named after William Webb Ellis who is often credited as the inventor of rugby football. Only world cup winners are allowed to handle the trophy – security staff wear gloves – so university staff, students and local residents were under strict instructions not to touch as they had their photos taken.

The university and Eastbourne College are hosting the South Africa rugby team during the tournament which kicks off on 18 September.

Faye Easton, a member of the University of Brighton Women’s Rugby Team and a Rugby World Cup Ambassador, said: “It’s great that the South Africans chose our facilities to use for their preparation and it was a privilege to get so close to the trophy.”

The university is also playing host to the Samoan rugby team at its campus in Falmer, Brighton.

Professor Julian Crampton, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are delighted to be hosting two of the world cup teams and we were honoured to display the Webb Ellis Cup. There is a real buzz around the university for its involvement in what is one of the world’s greatest tournaments.”