YOUNGSTERS from Hereford RFC took part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium.

Since being launched during the 2008-09 season, the nationwide grassroots rugby event has seen more than 70,000 children take part.

Hereford Under-11s were one of 30 Under-11 and Under-12 teams in attendance, and even got the chance to strut their stuff in front of a host of Worcester players, including Matt Cox and Tom Howe.

And while they missed out on the chance to attend next May’s Aviva Premiership Rugby Final, 10-year-old Ryan Whitnell insisted he had loved every minute of the experience.

“It’s been a fun tournament, you always want to play your best at tournaments,” said the Stretton Sugwas Academy pupil.

“Playing lots of games in one day gets you more used to playing which helps.

“My favourite thing about playing rugby is getting muddy.”

Teams from across the county will compete at various festivals hosted by the 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs this season, with the opportunity to earn a trip to the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on May 26, where they will meet a Land Rover rugby ambassador, join in a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade at half-time and hear which of them has won a club MVP award.

Hereford did at least get the chance to rub shoulders Cox and Howe, and the former admitted he had been impressed with what he had seen.

“I remember doing these kinds of tournaments when I was younger,” he said.

“It’s great when you’re a kid because you get to play against teams who you wouldn’t normally get to play.

“It’s a great day out and the kids love it.

“You remember days like these because you have such a good time at them.

“But seeing the youngsters play, I can never remember being that good. It helps evolve their ability and their knowledge of the game.”

* Land Rover is celebrating its ‘Testimonial Season’; ten years of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.

he national series of grassroots rugby festivals is testament to Land Rover’s continued support of grassroots rugby through its ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign

Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal