As globe-trotting trophies go, there can be few that turn up in more places around the world than the famous Webb Ellis Cup. In the close run-in to every Rugby World Cup, the prize itself can be viewed in all of the 20 competing teams before finally making its way to the host venue where it is lifted by one lucky captain.

But even now, more than three years away from RWC 2019 in Japan, the cup is already on the move. In March it was in attendance at the very first qualifier when St Vincent and the Grenadines took on Jamaica at Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown. And this week it has travelled all the way to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where the first Asian qualifiers are happening. And it is making quite an impression among rugby fans in this land-locked central Asian republic.

“I can’t believe the cup is here at our school,” said one star-struck teenage girl at School 59 in Kimpenxva, a village about 25km from the capital. “I know that New Zealand won this in England last year so it is amazing to see it up close today. I’m so excited.”

The following day it was the turn of around 150 young players at the Spartak Stadium in the city. Amid training drills and games of tag and full contact rugby going on as part of the local Get Into Rugby programme, the golden cup sat on its plinth, gleaming in the early summer sunshine and providing inspiration to the enthusiastic young players around it.

“I play for the Spartak team,” said one 15-year-old boy, “but someday I want to play at the Rugby World Cup and represent Uzbekistan at the highest level of rugby.”

Even the big boys seem to go weak at the knees in the presence of this symbol of rugby excellence. United Arab Emirates beat Uzbekistan in the second semi-final of the Asia Rugby Championship Division 2 on Wednesday and they had a good view of the cup as it was placed between the two teams during the national anthems. UAE captain Niall Statham was suitably impressed. He said: “We really used the presence of the Webb Ellis Cup as motivation for us... This is our Rugby World Cup and it was great to have the cup here. It really meant that we flew out of the traps in the first half and dominated the game.”

OLYMPIC GLORY

The cup has also been gracing the resplendent halls of the Uzbekistan Museum of Olympic Glory in the Yunusabad district during its week-long stay in Tashkent. As rugby prepares to return to the summer Olympic programme for the first time since 1924, it is fitting that this museum with its tributes to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, himself a keen rugby enthusiast, would display the biggest prize in our sport.

Alongside displays showcasing Uzbekistan’s Olympic and Paralympic medals won by its fierce wrestlers, proud boxers and graceful gymnasts, the Webb Ellis Cup stands with pride of place at the main entrance to the museum. The impressive building was the passion and brainchild of Uzbekistan’s sports-loving President Islam Karimov, who himself received the Olympic Order, the highest award of the Olympic movement, handed out only on rare occasions in recognition of particularly distinguished contributions.

Museum Curator Gulnoz Axmadaliyeva said: “It is an honour for us to be able to display the Webb Ellis Cup in our museum. Sports fans from all over Uzbekistan come here to learn more about our rich sporting heritage and also pay tribute to the great athletes of our country. I know that rugby is growing strong here so to have the Rugby World Cup, even for just a short time, is wonderful for us.

“Maybe someday, when Uzbekistan becomes a bigger force in rugby, we will be able to display a medal from a future Olympic Games won by our nation’s sevens team. That would be very special for us and would be a source of great pride for us just as it has been with our Olympians of the past and present.”

The cup will return to the Dustlik Stadium on Saturday to oversee the final between UAE and Thailand. The winning team will keep their dream alive and progress to the next stage of RWC 2019 qualification, one step closer to lifting the cup in Japan three years from now.