AS England gears up to host the rugby World Cup later this year, Hartlepool is joining in the excitement with a long weekend of rugby and other sports activities.

The events take place tomorrow (Saturday 1), Sunday 2 and Monday 3 at West Hartlepool Rugby Football Club on Catcote Road.

On Saturday from 10am-12 noon the club’s experienced coaches will be holding a rugby master class for young people.

Then on the afternoon between 1pm and 4pm Hartlepool Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Team will be offering people of all ages a chance to try a variety of different sports including short tennis, football, golf, cricket and take part in some fun competitions.

On Sunday from 10am to 12 noon the rugby club will be running a second masterclass for youngsters, then from 1pm to 4pm the Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Team will be running a further range of fun activities and competitions including beat the keeper, volleyball, rounders and games for small teams.

There will also be an adults’ fitness challenge on spinning bikes and Hartlepool Triathlon Club will be joining in with a ‘Do A Duo’ event.

The rugby fun reaches its peak on Monday when the sport’s famous William Webb Ellis trophy will be on show at West Hartlepool RFC from 2pm to 3pm as part of its regional tour in the Festival of Rugby.

There will also be other activities between noon and 3pm, including the official opening of the new £900,000 clubhouse by one of the stars of England’s 2003 rugby World Cup-winning team, Jason Leonard, plus a chance to watch young teams play and find out more about how to get involved in the sport.

All the events are free and there’s no need to book. For more details call 01429-284047.