PROUD young rugby starlets are at Twickenham today to play an important role ahead of England's much-anticipated RBS 6 Nations opener against France.

Students from Ulverston Victoria High School and Millom School have been selected to represent Cumbria by forming a guard of honour for the England v France men’s and women’s games at the home of England rugby.

The Year Seven school rugby players will also play touch or tag rugby on hallowed Twickenham turf, before carrying out the ceremonial welcoming for the England and France teams, in the game being dubbed "Le Crunch".

The VIP guests of England Rugby will have great seats to watch England v France and also England Women v France Women.

Cumbria is a focus area from 2016/17 onwards for the development of the women’s and girls' game. UVHS and Millom School have been selected as they have invested a lot of time into rugby union as part of the CBRE All Schools Programme.

Kirsty Hayton, the head of PE at UVHS, said: "It's an absolute honour to be part of such a momentous occasion. It’s something neither the pupils or the staff will ever forget. Thank you Cumbria RFU."

Georgia Reed, a Year 11 sports leader at UVHS, said: “This opportunity is going to be amazing. Five years of playing rugby, club and county, all I ever wanted was to set foot on the Twickenham ground. Now I can."

Year Seven UVHS pupils Ruby Danson, Rhiannon Harvey and Skye Roberts can't wait for the experience.

Ruby said: “This means so much to be able to have this amazing opportunity."

Rhiannon said: "I am very excited to be able to go on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. I know I am going to enjoy it. I cannot wait and I have been talking about it all week.”

Skye said: “This means the world to me. Thank you so much for letting me come.”

Bethany Pattinson, a Year 11 Millom School student who has been involved in coaching the Year Seven team, said: “The girls have been working hard to improve their skills to perform to the very best of their ability at the opening of the Six Nations.

“I am very honoured to be able to have the opportunity to coach the Year Seven Millom School girls.”

“We are very proud of the Year Seven girls to have been selected to play and it has been a very good opportunity for me to coach the girls.

“We have been chose to play rugby, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in this, we are very grateful."

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