Red Roses train young fans ahead of Rugby World Cup

Hundreds of young rugby players have been coached by two England stars as excitement builds for the start of the World Cup.

Red Roses fly half Zoe Harrison and centre Tatyana Heard visited Hove Rugby Club on 15 June to coach some of the junior players two months before the start of the tournament.

Geraldine Brown, chairwoman of Hove Rugby Club, said she had been told by parents that having the Red Roses at the club was "like Christmas" for some of the players.

England will come to Brighton for their group stage game against Australia on 6 September, one of two matches to be played in the city.

Harrison said it was amazing to see the number of girls playing rugby in Hove, as the sport seeks to grow following the recent success of the Red Roses, and hosting the World Cup.

She said: "Even just coming down here seeing how many girls play and knowing we have a game here, it's so exciting, especially as it's in their home city."

Heard added: "There's so much work going on behind the scenes to promote this. We want to get more new fans and appreciate those who have followed us all the way."

England's World Cup campaign comes off the back of a fourth successive Six Nations Grand Slam.

The Rugby World Cup will be hosted in England from 22 August to 27 September. Games in Brighton will be played on 6-7 September.

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