Rugby fans and pupils at Hampton Prep school got a glimpse of gold, as the Rugby World Cup trophy was displayed during their assembly this week.

The Webb Ellis Trophy was brought into the school by chief commercial officer at World Rugby and Hampton Prep parent Tom Hill.

Mr Hill spoke to pupils in year 7-11 about the history of the trophy, which is named after schoolboy William Webb Ellis.

Legend has it that William invented rugby by picking up the ball during a game of football.

The trophy will now be taken on a world tour before arriving in Japan, for the start of the tournament in September.

One of the pupils who had his photo taken with the trophy today was 11-year-old rugby fan Mohamed Suliman, he said: “ It was a once in a lifetime experience and very exciting to see the cup in real life.”