The William Webb Ellis Trophy

The William Webb Ellis Trophy is the most prestigious prize in international rugby, and is awarded to the winner of the Rugby World Cup. The trophy is named in honour of the legendary founder of rugby, William Webb Ellis. Rugby fans in Australia and New Zealand refer to the trophy as “Bill”.

The William Webb Ellis Trophy is the only trophy to have been awarded to the winners of the Rugby World Cup, and has been presented to the winner since the tournament’s inception in 1987. The trophy stands 38 centimeters high, is cast from silver and gilded in gold. The cup has two handles, one representing a satyr and the other a nymph.

History of the William Webb Ellis Trophy

The William Webb Ellis trophy was not cast with the Rugby World Cup in mind, but was actually created at the Garrad workshop in 1906. The trophy is believed to be the replica of another trophy crafted in the 18th century.

The William Webb Ellis Trophy was selected for use in the Rugby World Cup shortly before the inaugural tournament. Legendary English forward John Kendall-Carpenter visited Garrad’s along with the secretary of the IRB, looking for a suitable trophy for the Rugby World Cup.

The staff at Garrad’s brought the old trophy down from the vault, and the two men liked the trophy so much that they showed it to several other rugby players and officials, who all approved its use for the Rugby World Cup. The trophy was promptly christened the William Web Ellis trophy and put into service in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, at which it was won by New Zealand.

William Webb Ellis Trophy Quick Facts

The William Webb Ellis trophy is based on a cup cast in 1740 by Paul de Lamerie.
The William Webb Ellis trophy was cast in 1906 by craftsmen of Garrad’s of London – the official crown jewellers’. This makes the William Webb Ellis trophy the oldest World Cup trophy in international sport.
The cup is smaller than any other trophy awarded for an international rugby tournament, standing only 38 centimeters high.
Like the trophies awarded at other World Cup tournaments, the William Webb Ellis trophy has been singled out for theft, with the most recent attempt made by a drunk Springbok fan following the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
The William Webb Ellis trophy is engraved with the words “International Rugby Football Board” and “The Webb Ellis Cup”. Four countries have their names engraved on the trophy thus far, namely South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and England.