Could This be the Year the Webb Ellis Cup Will Make a Victorious Return to British Soil?

LONDON, October 6, 2011 -

- With Photo

With the quarterfinals this weekend and the final only two weeks away, could it be one of the home nations that will bring the Webb Ellis Cup back to its northern hemisphere roots? The Webb Ellis Cup was supplied by British Jewellers and Silversmiths, Garrard, prior to the first Rugby World Cup in 1987. Garrard has a heritage of over 275 years in jewellery and silverware, and hopes to celebrate this rich creative history, with the return of one of its most prized trophies.

The Webb Ellis Cup was selected, from Garrard, for the first Rugby World Cup tournament in 1987. 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, visited the Garrard flagship in Regent Street to choose an appropriate trophy for the occasion. The then director, Richard Jarvis brought the trophy from the vault and presented it to the former sportsmen: after approval from various international Rugby personalities, the cup was named the Webb Ellis Cup and became the inaugural trophy for the tournament.

Garrard’s sporting legacy dates back to the mid 18^th Century where it inaugurated a rich and glorious relationship with the sporting world that still remains evident today. From equestrian, sailing, cricket and golf to rugby, football, snooker and greyhound racing. Garrard has endeavored to remain at the forefront of the world’s most renowned sporting events, producing the finest and historic trophy ware to date.

Garrard is credited with supplying the America’s Cup, the oldest international sporting trophy in history, the I.C.C. Cricket World Cup, and the Premier League Trophy for football plus several equestrian trophies for events at Ascot, Goodwood and Badminton.

Garrard’s unsurpassed silverware craftsmanship will be celebrated once again, as the deserved winners of the Rugby World Cup 2011, lift the trophy in victory.

Note to Editors

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Sarah Carlsen, +44(0)7880704731, sarah at sarahcarlsenpr.co.uk