YOUNG rugby players from the district have been mixing it with the big boys.

They enjoyed a trip to Welford Road, to take in the Premiership Rugby clash between Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears, on Saturday.

The young members of Tynedale Rugby Club took part in a pre-match coaching clinic, where they worked on developing their skills with Leicester’s community coaches. The group were also given the opportunity to ask Tigers player Charlie Thacker about his life in professional rugby.

Tynedale RFC’s Jonathan Sykes said: “The coaching clinic was fantastic. The coaches were great and worked well with the kids.

“It’s important for the team to come to a Premiership club, it’s good to see how different it is here and to see rugby on a bigger scale. It’s been a fantastic day all around.”