HE may have missed out on the chance of walking out at Twickenham, but Ross-on-Wye Rugby Club Under-11 starlet Ethan Chick insisted he had still loved every minute of his Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup experience.

Launched during the 2008-09 season, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup is the first national grassroots tournament officiated by Premiership Rugby and run in conjunction with all 12 clubs.

Gloucester Rugby hosted their event as the top local under-11s and under-12s mini rugby teams met at Dean Close School.

In total over 7,000 children will participate over the course of the campaign as they go in search of a spot in the ‘Parade of Champions’ during half-time of the Aviva Premiership Grand Final.

And while Chick was not able to lift the Under-11s Cup trophy for a spot at Rugby HQ, his team narrowly going down in a thrilling final against Clifton RFC, the 10-year-old skipper remained proud of his side.

“It’s a really well-organised tournament and great fun to play in because of the intensity and physicality of the teams involved,” said the Llangrove Primary School student.

“The game of rugby is great fun to play, and coming to festivals like this really helps you to improve as you can see where you are in relation to the teams around you.

“If you come up against a good side and you lose, then you know exactly what you have to do better next time around, and maybe beat them then.

“It’s very exciting Gloucester are here supporting us as they are my favourite team – I’d love to play for them someday and it’s very encouraging to know they are watching.”

Terry Fanolua, community rugby development manager at Gloucester, said many of the players showed huge potential to succeed in the game.

“They have played some outstanding rugby, and I was standing on the side of the pitch there with my mouth open as I could not believe the talent on show," he said.

“I love coming down to watch and I always want to give as much as I can back to the people of Gloucester who welcomed me with open arms while I was playing at Kingsholm.

“It’s so important to get them playing in festivals like this – they can be with their friends, running out onto the pitch together, and working for one another which is what rugby is all about.”

Land Rover supports grassroots rugby and provides the opportunity for over 7,000 youngsters to take part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup each season. Keep up-to-date with the latest Land Rover rugby activity by following @premrugby and @LandRoverRugby.