YOUNG players from Stourbridge Rugby Club honed their skills with the professionals at 10-time English champions Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

The youngsters, from Stourbridge's under-8, under-11 and under-13 age groups, took part in Tigers Matchday Coaching Clinics and then joined a 20,000-strong crowd for the Aviva Premiership fixture against London Irish at Welford Road on January 6.

Tigers Matchday Coaching Clinics allow teams to work with Tigers coaches to develop their individual and team skills, as well as taking tips and techniques with them to work on in the rest of the season.

The Stourbridge players also had an opportunity to quiz Tigers forward Joe Maksymiw about life in professional rugby and then they soaked up the matchday atmosphere at Welford Road and watched the professionals in action.

They even managed to follow in the players' footsteps by having team photos taken on the famous turf at half-time in front of the crowd.

Pete Grimmett-Bate, a coach at Stourbridge, accompanied the teams for their photos alongside Tigers wing Tom Brady and prop Pat Cilliers, he said: “It was a brilliant day, a bit cold but they really enjoyed it and it was a great experience for everyone.

“They have been inspired and motivated by the coaching clinics and by watching Leicester Tigers with some of the biggest stars in the country.”