THE Webb Ellis Cup is coming to Wiltshire in April as part of the Rugby Football Union's commitment to offer the game to new people and places.

The four-month-long Sweet Chariot Tour will see the trophy won by the World Champions 2003 visit 290 venues across the country.

England head coach Sir Clive Woodward said: "Winning the World Cup has given the whole nation a boost. Taking the Cup around England is a wonderful opportunity to build on the success by encouraging people to get involved in all areas of rugby.

"There is a vast amount of work done by a lot of brilliant people at grassroots level and without that the game just would not develop.

"It is important that they can now use the Cup for activities that will provide the next generation of England players from existing and new rugby communities."

Leicester Tigers' Martin Johnson CBE, England's World Cup winning captain, said: "Taking the Webb Ellis Cup around the country and the accompanying events will be a great chance to get more people playing and involved in rugby."

The cup will be toured round Dorset and Wiltshire on April 8-10.