World Field, Home Soil – Durham Celebrates the Rugby World Cup 2015

19 September 2015 - 4 October 2015

Palace Green Library

From its inception in 1987, as a competition for 16 invited teams, the Rugby World Cup has grown to be one of the most important events in the international sporting calendar. 

The 2015 competition was hosted by England, and qualifying matches were held in stadiums around the country. St. James’s Park, Newcastle, was one of the venues. To celebrate, this display showcased match balls from the England team’s campaign and spectacular victory at the 2003 tournament. 

On loan from the World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, on display was: 

• Ball from the 2003 quarter final between England and Wales, Saturday 19 September to Friday 2 October, 2015
• Ball from the 2003 final between England and Australia, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, 2015. 

This offered visitors a unique opportunity to see iconic objects from a very special moment in the history of English rugby.