Webb Ellis Cup

The Webb Ellis Cup, also referred to as the "Webb Ellis Trophy" or "Bill", is the main prize of the Rugby World Cup. The trophy is named after William Webb Ellis, who is often credited as the inventor of rugby football. The trophy is silver gilded in gold and has been presented to the winner of the world cup since the first competition in 1987. It has been held by New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England.

The 38 centimetre trophy is gilded silver and is supported by two cast scroll handles.cite web | title=The History of the Williams Webb Ellis Cup | work=wesclark.com | url=http://wesclark.com/rrr/webb_ellis_cup.html |accessdate=2007-09-12] On one handle there is a head of a satyr, on the other there is head of a nymph. On the face of the trophy, the words "International Rugby Football Board" and below that arch "The Webb Ellis Cup" are engraved.

History

The cup was crafted at Garrard's workshop, commissioned by the International Rugby Board (IRB), (then, International Rugby Football Board (IRFB)). The cup was modelled on a 1906 trophy made by Carrington and Co. of London, which was a Victorian design of a 1740 cup by Paul de Lamerie.

John Kendall-Carpenter, former England forward and the organiser of the first Rugby World Cup and Bob Weighill, the secretary of the International Rugby Board also a former England forward, visited Garrard's, the crown jeweler in Regent Street, London. Director Richard Jarvis, brought the particular cup down from the vault and showed it to both of them.

It was chosen for use in February 1987, Ronnie Dawson of Ireland, Keith Rowlands of Wales, Bob Stuart and Dick Littlejohn of New Zealand and the Australians Nick Shehadie and Ross Turnbull approved of the choice of the trophy.cite web | title=Rugby Trophys | work=rugbyfootballhistory.com | url=http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/trophys.htm |accessdate=2007-09-12]

It was soon named "The Webb Ellis Cup". New Zealand become the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup when they won the 1987 Rugby World Cup. The Webb Ellis Cup has been held by four nations; New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England.

The current holders of the Cup are South Africa after beating former Champions England 15-6 in the 2007 Final.

At the moment Australia and South Africa have both won it twice.

In The News

An intoxicated Springbok supporter tries to grab the cup in the Newland Stadium in South Africa during the bok victory lap on 30 October 2007. [http://blog.fring.com/southafrica/?p=107 Here's the video]

References

External links

* [http://wesclark.com/rrr/webb_ellis_cup.html The History of the Williams Webb Ellis Cup]
* [http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/trophys.htm Rugby Trophys]