The newly created trophy – revealed at the squad’s West Wales base, the St Brides Hotel, Saundersfoot – was chosen by the WRU’s Vice Royal Patron, Prince William, from three different designs presented by specialist jewellers. Mari Thomas, from Llanelli, and Nicola Palterman, from Neath won the commission to create the cup which will be awarded to the winner of Wales’s clash with South Africa on Saturday 24th November (Kick-Off 2.45pm).
The pair, who have exhibited their jewellery around the world from London to New York, claim the creation of the 55cm high, 1.5mm gauge trophy as their biggest and most elaborate creation to date.
“It’s a pretty impressive sight and it would be a shame to have it leave the country so we’ll have to see what we can do to keep it,” said Davies, speaking from his innovative West Wales training camp which incorporates a free and public training session at Tenby Rugby Club on Wednesday (10.30am). “The trophy would be extra motivation if we needed it, but we won’t have a problem getting up for this game. With a packed out home crowd in the Millennium Stadium, the world champions coming to town and a group of Welshmen keen to prove something to the nation – the games don’t come much more special than that.”
The elegant design of the Prince William Cup – inspired by the landscapes of South Africa and Wales – will ensure it is equally coveted by the Springboks. The trophy will be the ninth of its type in world rugby and will be presented to the winner of the this Saturday’s clash by Prince William himself.
“It is fabricated with the line of the Welsh landscape spiraling around the seam of the trophy with the maps of the two countries decorating the surface along with a stirring quote from Nelson Mandela,” said co-designer Nicola Palterman. “The trophy – around 16cm in diameter at the rim tapering to around 8cm in diameter at the base – sits on a plinth made of Welsh Oak and the whole object is lined with 23 carat gold plate.”
The trophy, the brainchild of WRU boss Lewis, was designed and made in Wales and produced to a tight timescale.
“We are both known for our contemporary and elegant designs which make full use of both the materials at hand and inspirational landscapes available to us in Wales,” added Mari Thomas, who has produced the Bardic Crown for the National Eisteddfod of Wales for the last two years. “A project of this significance is something that we are both delighted to be involved in. This magnificent opportunity to work on something that will be such a major part of the sporting history of both countries for many years to come is an honour.
“We obviously both hope it will be lifted by a Welshman, but we’ll be the proudest people in the ground whatever happens. The whole project has been a great honour for us, but we are seriously thinking about asking if the winning captain can wear white gloves to avoid any smudges after all the polishing we’ll be doing!”
Previous credentials from the designers have included wedding bands for European Royalty and the Bardic Crown for the National Eisteddfod of Wales, along with clients such as Hollywood actor Ioan Gruffudd. To find out more about the designers of the Prince William Cup choose one of the following links www.marithomas.com/ or www.nicolapalterman.com.
Wales v South Africa on Saturday will be the first and only chance to see the Rugby World Cup Champions in action since winning the tournament last month before they disband. Fans are able to buy tickets to this major international online via Ticketmaster – Click Here for tickets – by calling 08705 582 582 or by calling into the Millennium Stadium Ticket Office, 98 St Mary Street, Cardiff.
Due to popular demand, the Millennium Stadium Ticket Office will extend its opening hours on Thurday and Friday evenings this week to coincide with late night shopping, giving fans further opportunity to purchase tickets for this major event.
