THE Rugby World Cup’s legacy is being brought to the North-East with organisers expecting a scrum for places at an influential meeting of the rugby fraternity.

England Rugby Union chief executive, Ian Ritchie, is set to host the inaugural Durham County RFU networking event after he led England to a Six Nations grand slam last month.

Mr Ritchie will be joined by the RFU’s rugby development director, Steve Grainger, at the meeting which aims to encourage North-East businesses, universities, schools and colleges to form new partnerships.

The pair are set to reveal the story of how the Rugby World Cup was brought to England in 2015 and what its legacy can do for the region.

Robin Wannop, chairman of the regional activation and legacy group for the RFU, said: “We always said that it was paramount that the World Cup left behind a legacy where more young people than ever were playing rugby, more businesses were involved in supporting local clubs and more parents and interested people were volunteering.”

Durham County RFU’s first networking meeting will be held at the Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Football Club, at The Northern Echo Arena, on Wednesday, April 20.

Charles Thoburn, Durham County RFU’s activation and legacy representative, said: “There are 34 different rugby clubs in the Durham County area, which covers much of the North-East, from south of the River Tyne to north of the River Tees.

“That is a huge area, containing thousands of businesses, schools and potential volunteers, so we have no doubt that the talent, interest and will is out there – it’s just a case of bringing it all together and enabling people to get involved."

A key aim of the free meeting is to encourage more young people into the sport.

The event is free to attend. Places can be reserved by emailing Mr Thoburn on c.t.thoburn@btinternet.com