Did you apply for tickets to Rugby World Cup 2015?

Here is the latest news about ticket sales from England Rugby 2015 

• The General Sale for Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets has now closed
• All 48 matches will go to ballot in at least one of the four price categories
• Fans will find out the results of their application in October and remaining tickets will go back on sale in the next phase in November

The general ticket sales window for Rugby World Cup 2015 closed last night following an 18 day application process. Tickets went on sale for all 48 matches, in all price categories, between 12 September and 29 September  2014.

England Rugby 2015 CEO, Debbie Jevans said, "The Rugby World Cup 2015 general ticket sales window is now closed. We are very pleased with the demand for tickets and the number of applications. It is clear that, for many matches or price categories, demand has exceeded supply and every one of the 48 matches will go to ballot in at least one of the four price categories - and it is likely that at least 20 matches will be balloted at every price category. 

"We will be running ballots in the next few weeks to ensure tickets are allocated fairly and will let all customers know the results of their applications by the end of October and before we take payments. We will spend the next few weeks processing the applications, running ballots, ensuring as many rugby fans as possible get tickets and will provide a further detailed update next month.  Any remaining tickets will go back on general sale in November.”

Where are you going to see Rugby World Cup 2015?

Webb Ellis Cup in the city!

The Webb Ellis Cup visited Brighton & Hove today to mark one year to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 and the launch of this blog.  The coveted Trophy will be awarded to the winners of Rugby World Cup 2015.

The Trophy was started the day at the Community Stadium and then went to the Royal Pavilion and along the seafront, from the Pier to the Peace Statue. There was also a visit to a Hove beach hut. People stopped to see and crowds gathered wherever the Trophy appeared.

The Webb Ellis Cup started the day at the Community Stadium where two of the 48 Rugby World Cup matches will take place in September 2015.

Next stop was Brighton's Royal Pavilion. The Webb Ellis Cup was the guest of honour at a gathering of local Rugby enthusiasts who will be contributing to these pages (find out more http://ow.ly/BGVGd). 

Outside on the Royal Pavilion lawn

Inside the Royal Pavilion's beautiful Music Room

The Webb Ellis Cup then went for a trip along the seafront of Brighton & Hove. 

The sight of the trophy drew crowds stopping for photos, including the Warner family, near the pier. 

Mandy Warner has already applied for tickets for the Brighton and Milton Keynes matches, she said: "It's very exciting that the original cup is here in Brighton. It's not something I ever thought I'd see! We are looking forward to the Tournament next year". 

The Warner family

Brighton Bandstand

Hove beach huts, on the Prom

And inside one of the Hove beach huts

In the blazing sunshine, the final stop for the Webb Ellis Cup was at the border of Brighton & Hove at the Peace Statue. Players from teams at the Team Bases of Brighton College and the University of Brighton met for Rugby practice on Hove Lawns before the arrival of the famous Trophy.

(Photos copyright www.snapitnow.co.uk)

What is the Webb Ellis Cup? 

• The Webb Ellis Cup is the Trophy awarded to Rugby World Cup winners.  New Zealand's David Kirk was the first captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup after his All Blacks defeated France 29-9 in the RWC 1987 Final.
• The Webb Ellis Cup is made from gilded silver and stands 472mm tall. It measures 319mm at its widest point handle to handle and weighs 4.5kgs.
• It was made by the Garrards silversmiths in 1906 and is based on the design of a cup believed to have been made around 1740 by English silversmith Paul de Lamerie.
• The Trophy was bought from an antique shop prior to the first Rugby World Cup and engraved with the words "The International Rugby Football Board" and "The Webb Ellis Cup".
• William Webb Ellis, after whom the Cup is named, was an Anglican clergyman born in Salford, Lancashire. Legend has it that in 1823, while he was a pupil at Rugby School, Webb Ellis picked up the ball during a game of football and ran with it, thus inventing the game of rugby.

For more information about Rugby’s greatest prize visit: http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2061379.html

Countdown to Rugby World Cup 2015 in Brighton & Hove

Today marks one year to go until the first of two Rugby World Cup 2015 matches taking place in Brighton & Hove. The Brighton & Hove matches will be during the first weekend of the Tournament (19 and 20 September 2015).

Excitement is already building in the run-up to the Tournament. To celebrate Rugby World Cup 2015 in our city, local rugby enthusiasts will contribute to this blog chronicling their experiences of waiting for Rugby World Cup 2015’s arrival in the city.

Blog entries will be created by young pupils from Balfour School tag Rugby team, players from Brighton Rugby Club and Hove Rugby Club, ground staff preparing for the matches at Brighton Community Stadium and members of “The Pack”.

Sarah Razzell applied to be part of The Pack and has taken part in the Try Outs in Brighton to see if she will be chosen to be a RWC2015 volunteer. Sarah said: “As far back as I can remember my dad and me would watch the Rugby internationals together, shouting and cheering at the TV! I am so happy to share my excitement with other people. Rugby is a fantastic team sport that encourages individuals to work together to win the match.”

Marcelo Staricoff, Balfour Primary headteacher, said: “We are proud of our success at Tag Rugby, with our pupils winning the National Championships in 2013 and being runners up in this year's finals. We are so excited that Rugby World Cup 2015 is visiting Brighton as it will be so inspirational for the whole school and will enable us to promote our school values through a worldwide sporting event.”

The blog will be looked after by Brighton & Hove City Council communications team.

(Photos copyright www.snapitnow.co.uk)

Brighton & Hove gets ready for Rugby World Cup 2015!

There is now only one year to go until the 8th Rugby World Cup takes place in September 2015. Brighton & Hove is getting ready to countdown to the Tournament. 

See full press release at: http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/press-release/brighton-hove-gets-ready-rugby-world-cup-2015

The 8th Rugby World Cup is set to start in England & Cardiff from 18 September to 31 October 2015. 

Throughout Rugby World Cup 2015, 48 matches will be taking place in 13 different venues across 11 cities in England & Cardiff, which include two matches at the Brighton Community Stadium:

• South Africa v Japan, 19 September - 4.45pm
• ​Samoa v USA, 20 September - 12noon