Fukuoka will host three Rugby World Cup 2019 matches and excitement is significantly growing in the prefecture. The Webb Ellis Cup received a tremendous welcome at Fukuoka Broadcasting studios and was included in local TV shows. Celebrating the forthcoming Rugby World Cup, presenters discussed what visitors can expect from Fukuoka and promised a warm welcome to all fans and teams alike.

More than 850 local fans came to see the trophy displayed at the former Fukuoka Prefecture Public Hall on 10 August. The iconic building, built in 1910, is a major part of the local culture and the perfect place to display rugby’s most famous silverware. Visitors had the opportunity to take photos and selfies with the trophy and discovered interesting facts about teams and matches scheduled in Fukuoka in just over a month’s time.

The Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour aims to inspire the next generation of players and this was apparent on the final day in Fukuoka Prefecture when the trophy visited Genkai Junior Rugby Club in Munakata City accompanied by a member of Japan’s Rugby World Cup 2015 squad, Karne Hesketh.

Hesketh scored the try that saw Japan famously beat South Africa in Brighton in 2015, creating one of the biggest Rugby World Cup upsets of all time. He shared his Rugby World Cup experience with hundreds of students present and remembered the emotions felt after that famous game against South Africa. Children with ages ranging from kindergarten through to elementary also had the opportunity to get a closer look at the Webb Ellis Cup and meet Rugby World Cup 2019 mascot Ren-G.

Hesketh said: “This is the first time I have seen the Webb Ellis Cup up close and it was an unforgettable memory for me and for the children here today. I believe the trophy tour will inspire these children and the whole of Japan to get behind their team at Rugby World Cup 2019.”

With less than a month to go until the start of Rugby World Cup 2019, fans are being urged not to miss out on what promises to be an historic and very special tournament. Final tickets are still available at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets, while official travel and hospitality options are also available.

With such exceptional demand for tickets, fans are being urged to buy exclusively from official channels to avoid being let down. For more details visit www.rugbyworldcup.com/buy-official