In association with tour sponsors EA Sports, Ford, Holiday Inn, Land Rover and Lucozade Sport, the Cup and the new RFU Travelling Exhibition Unit will be present at 13 shopping centres in cities such as Manchester, Newcastle and Bristol and visit projects in rugby clubs, leisure centres and schools.

"I was delighted to be asked to start the Sweet Chariot Tour, especially in a Harrier jet and thanks to the RAF for giving me such a great experience," said Tindall.

"As a squad, we have been overwhelmed by the support we received from rugby fans and people new to the sport alike. Taking the Webb Ellis Cup around the country and the accompanying events will be a great chance to get more people playing and involved in rugby."

The Cup will visit each of the RFU’s 35 Constituent Bodies, who will arrange a programme of rugby activities, which will include social inclusion, volunteering and club-school link projects.

In line with the RFU’s IMPACT strategy to provide an enjoyable and accessible game for more people at all levels from the Zurich Premiership to grassroots, it will also be taken to communities currently under-represented in the sport.

England head coach Sir Clive Woodward said: "Winning the World Cup has given the whole nation a boost. Taking the Cup around England is a wonderful opportunity to build on the success by encouraging people to get involved in all areas of rugby.

"There is a vast amount of work done by a lot of brilliant people at grassroots level and without that the game just would not develop. It is important that they can now use the Cup for activities that will provide the next generation of England players from existing and new rugby communities."

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