THE official Rugby League World Cup trophy is to go on display at Bolton Museum. 

Fans will have the chance to see the silverware up close at a special exhibition from Monday, December 3 to Saturday, December 8.
The trophy is touring the country to promote the Rugby League World Cup 2021.

Bolton is campaigning to stage matches, team camp and training venue, and has made it to a shortlist of 20 towns and cities vying to host the event. The tournament has the potential to bring £4.5 million into Bolton’s economy.

The successful town or city is expected to be announced in January, 2019.

Visitors to the museum, in Le Mans Crescent, will be able to learn the history of the 61cm high, silver-plated trophy. 

It was commissioned by Paul Barriere, a former French resistance fighter, for rugby league’s first ever world cup in 1954.

However, while on display in the Midland Hotel in Bradford it was stolen – six days before the 1970 final.

Twenty years later it was found in a ditch near a rugby club in Bingley, minus its cockerel headpiece.

For the 2021 tournament, organisers have had the trophy restored to its former glory with a new cockerel in place.

A GPS tracker has also been fitted so that fans can follow its progress around the world. 

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for culture, youth and sport, Cllr John Byrne, said: “It’s great to have the trophy in Bolton and I would encourage everyone to go and see it and support our bid. 

“We believe our town will make a great host venue.”