Prime Minister Marks two Years to go

London, Sept 18, 2013: Two years today, September 18, Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks off in England. To mark this milestone, the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, today exchanged Rugby balls during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at 10 Downing Street.

Mr Key presented the UK Prime Minister with a Rugby ball signed by the New Zealand team that won Rugby World Cup 2011. Mr Cameron returned the gesture with a specially designed Gilbert Two Years To Go Rugby World Cup 2015 ball. This presentation informally marks the transfer from one Rugby World Cup host to the next and is an example of the many shared activities which bind UK and NZ so closely. The formal Webb Ellis Cup handover will take place later this year.

Note:

Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world and England looks forward to welcoming New Zealanders and fans from all around the world to this spectacular six-week festival of Rugby and England between September 18 and October 31, 2015.

Tournament Organisers England Rugby 2015 and Tournament Owners Rugby World Cup Limited are on track to deliver a Rugby celebration which the whole country can be proud of and part of, which inspires the nation and the world to play and support the Game. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has in place a comprehensive legacy plan to grow the Game in England. —- England Rugby 2015