NEWPORT High School has been gripped by rugby fever following a visit from the sport’s most prestigious prize.

The Webb Ellis Trophy, which will be handed to the captain of the victorious nation in autumn’s Rugby World Cup tournament, visited the school as part of the tour’s 10-day journey around Wales.

Former Wales internationals Bobby Windsor and Robert Sidoli were among those in attendance, alongside the head of rugby at the WRU, Josh Lewsey, who was allowed to handle the cup as he was part of the England world-winning team.

With just 73 days to go until the tournament’s opening match, the event gave staff and pupils a taste of what is to come, with Ireland, Georgia and Uruguay to train at the school in September and October.

The teams will be staying at the Celtic Manor and will use the school’s facilities in the lead up to their games at the Millennium Stadium.

A quarter-finalist will also be using the school as a training base ahead of one of the two games taking place at the home of Welsh rugby on October 17 and 18.

The school’s head teacher, Karyn Keane, said: “Raising aspirations is central to our work.

“Seeing the Webb Ellis Cup at our school today gave students the opportunity to see at first hand one of the world’s most prestigious sporting prizes.

“We look forward to September when we host international rugby teams at our school

“We were chosen not only because of the fantastic facilities we have at Newport High but because of our ability to provide a safe and secure working environment in the heart of a community.”