International rugby aces in Telford for T-Party
[gallery] It's not every weekend that international rugby stars descend on Shropshire. But that's what happened on Saturday to celebrate England hosting the Rugby World Cup in September.
Ex-England player Fran Cotton and Shropshire-born Leicester Tigers and England Saxons ace Graham Kitchener were at T-Party in Telford on Saturday.
They were joined by Jason Leonard OBE, RFU president and Rugby World Cup 2003 winner, who lifted the cup before crowds at the party at Telford's Town Park.
It was the first venue in the West Midlands to welcome the arrival of the Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup Trophy ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Kitchener and Leonard told the Shropshire Star how encouraging it was to see so many people looking forward to the World Cup. Kitchener, who has family and was brought up in Shrewsbury, said it was a perfect chance to visit his home county.
The 25-year-old said: "It is great to be here and the tour has been great so far.
"Hosting the Rugby World Cup 2015 is an incredible opportunity for England. It's great to be back in Shropshire and seeing so many familiar faces. The tour has worked well because I've been able to get involved with it during the weekends and train during the week. Can't wait for September, we are obviously determined to win."
Leonard, 46, said: "This year will be the most significant in the history of the game in England and it's an exciting opportunity for us to raise the profile of rugby through the Trophy Tour, in particular amongst grassroots clubs across the country. Rugby really is a sport for everyone, for all shapes, sizes, abilities and backgrounds – men, women, boys and girls – and it's great to see so many people already feeling the excitement of Rugby World Cup 2015."
T-Party is a sporting, cultural and music extravaganza that takes place every year at the Telford Town Park Arena.
The a Telford Town Park's QEII Arena was filled with sports-themed arts, crafts, street theatre, poetry, storytelling, acrobatics, puppetry, sports, leisure activities and music from Telford band The Rooz.
The international Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour has seen the Webb Ellis Cup showcased to audiences around the world as part of the build-up to Rugby World Cup 2015, and the trophy arrived in Telford as part of its 100-day tour of the UK and Ireland, marking the final countdown to this year's showcase tournament.
It will travel through Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and England before arriving at Twickenham Stadium on 18 September ahead of the opening ceremony.
