In the run up to this summer's Rugby World Cup the sport's greatest prize will stop off at four locations in Kent.

The William Webb Ellis Trophy will pass through the county on Thursday, September 3, stopping off in Aylesford, Maidstone and Meopham.

The visits form part of a national 100-day tour which will culminate on September 18 at the home of English rugby, Twickenham Stadium, in time for the opening ceremony and first match of the tournament, England versus Fiji.

Aylesford Bulls Rugby Club, in Hall Road; Leeds Castle; County Hall in Maidstone, and Helen Allison School in Longfield Road, Meopham, will play host to the trophy on the 85th day of the event, with times yet to be announced.

The tour, which starts on June 10 in Scotland, will see the golden cup travel to Ireland and Wales before embarking on the final 75-day stretch through host nation England.

Debbie Jevans, CEO of England Rugby 2015, said: “The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour will be the perfect opportunity to excite and engage fans across the UK and Ireland and make 2015 feel like the year of the rugby nation.

"Delivering a continuous 100-day tour means we can give as many fans as possible the opportunity to see the Webb Ellis Cup and tell us their rugby story as they count down to their own tournament experience.

"We have been delighted with the success of the international Trophy Tour, engaging with thousands of people across the globe, and hope to replicate that success when the Trophy Tour goes to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and England.”