Today is exactly 100 days until the beginning of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Hosted in England, the sport's showpiece event sees the top 20 sides in world rugby battle for the William Webb Ellis trophy over six weeks of competition, starting on September 18. 

At the Trophy Tour and Festival of Rugby launch today, Prince Harry and Jonny Wilkinson were alongside those in attendance as the country gets ready to host the event.

Speaking at Twickenham, Honorary President of the Rugby World Cup, Prince Harry looked back at the country's hosting of London 2012 as well as other mega sporting events, saying "We are a nation of great hosts that sieze the moment. The world will be expecting us to deliver and we will not disappoint.

"I have no doubt that the British public will make every nation feel at home and provide the best possible welcome to all 20 teams and the hundreds of thousands of fans coming to the UK."

Over the next 100 days, the trophy will travel the length and breadth of the UK before arriving at Twickenham on September 18 ahead of the opening ceremony which proceeds the opening game between England and Fiji

Amongst the events taking place alongside the Trophy Tour are rugby festivals and a photography competition, with many of the activities open to the public. 

The 'Festival of Rugby' runs from today up until 31 October, and began with a Tag Rugby World Record attempt which took place at Luton Rugby Football Club

Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch commented on the Festival of Rugby, as well as the Trophy Tour, saying that both will be "fantastic and spread the rugby message across the country."

Head coaches around the world are now starting to announce their wider training squads ahead of the World Cup, with the official 31-man squads due to be unveiled in August ahead of the warm-up fixtures.