SIDMOUTH are Rugby World Cup winners – and the tournament doesn’t start for months.

The RFU have chosen Sidmouth for a grant to improve clubhouse facilities through a Rugby World Cup Lead-Up and Legacy Programme.

The grant will enhance the club’s social facilities and provide a resource to be used by the local community.

Hosting the World Cup provides an opportunity to deliver a huge participation legacy for rugby union, and the RFU has committed a £10m investment which will create a network of more 500 Lead Up and Legacy Centres aimed at providing a platform on which club rugby participation throughout England can be built.

Jon Bendle, the RFU official in charge of improvement projects in east Devon and west Somerset, said: “The new social space will improve the quality of the rugby experience for everyone using the site and provide more playing opportunities, especially for local people in the 14-24 age-group.

“This investment will also support the club’s financial sustainability leading into the Rugby World Cup and will create a focus for England 2015 and a lasting rugby union legacy for rugby in the community.

“ The clubhouse refurbishment will help the club raise its profile and encourage more players, volunteers and spectators to share the special values that distinguish the sport.”

Lester Wilmington, the Sidmouth chairman, said thanks to the grant the club will have some of the best facilities in the area.

He added: The 2015 Rugby World Cup will inspire a new wave of people of all ages to become involved in rugby and this RFU investment will help our club to be even better equipped to welcome newcomers.”