THE Borders will welcome the 2015 Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour this week as the famous William Webb Ellis cup travels the length and breadth of the country.

HRH Prince Harry, Honorary President of England 2015, and England 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson and Will Greenwood, bid the trophy bon voyage from Twickenham on Wednesday, which marks the 100 days to go milestone until the tournament kicks off on Friday 18 September.

First port of call on a tour that will take in all the home countries is Scotland.

Scottish Rugby ambassador Chris Paterson, our cap and points’ record-holder, who will accompany the trophy throughout its tour of Scotland, said: “Excitement is building for Rugby World Cup 2015 and it’s a tremendous opportunity to win new players and supporters for the game.

“Clubs throughout Scotland will be throwing open their doors to welcome in the wider community as never before during Rugby World Cup and this five day trophy tour is in many ways the perfect starter.” In a packed itinerary developed by Scottish Rugby and managed by tournament hosts, the Rugby Football Union, the trophy begins its adventure in Scotland at the border with England with a handover on the A68 at Carter Bar.

Will Greenwood will present the trophy to 1984 Grand Slam winner, President of Jed-Forest RFC and fellow British Lion Roy Laidlaw on Thursday 11 June as the tour gets underway.

From there a convoy will convey the trophy to Jedburgh’s Lothian Park, home ground of Jed Thistle, who enjoyed a tremendous season at under-18 level, where a festival of sport will be held for local primary schools against the backdrop of the historic Jedburgh Abbey.

The following day, Friday 12 June the Webb Ellis trophy winds its way to North Berwick RFC for an East Lothian youth 7s tournament involving clubs and schools from across the county. Scotland head coach Vern Cotter and Scotland 7s cap Chris Dean will also be in attendance.

Later that day it will travel to Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, site of the historic first ever international rugby match in 1871 and home of Edinburgh Accies, before a lunchtime stop at BT Murrayfield.

Here Edinburgh Rugby is hosting an open day and inviting visiting fans of all ages to run through the BT Murrayfield tunnel as used on international match days and play on the famous pitch. There will also be a rugby festival on the back pitches for Edinburgh schools.

On Saturday 13 June the Trophy Tour starts its journey north and will stop in Cupar at Howe of Fife RFC where an U16s 7s tournament will be taking place in the morning.

From there the convoy heads to Aberdeen to catch a flight to Orkney to visit the recently crowned BT Club of the Season, Orkney RFC in Kirkwall which is organising a community rugby festival to mark the occasion.

After a flight to Inverness the Trophy Tour will continue the following day, Sunday 14 June with a visit to Highland RFC in Inverness. A fly-past by the RAF is being planned alongside a rugby festival.

On Monday 15 June Glasgow welcomes the trophy at the home of the Pro12 title winners, Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun. An open day for supporters has been organised alongside a match between West of Scotland and Glasgow Accies, both founding member clubs of the Scottish Rugby Union and both celebrating their respective 150th anniversaries this year.

In the afternoon the Trophy will stop at Ayr RFC where a school rugby festival for South Ayrshire schools will be held before leaving Scotland from Troon on a ferry to Belfast.

Scottish Rugby will carry daily updates on the trophy tour on our website, YouTube channel, Twitter and Facebook accounts.