PLAYERS from Wilmslow Rugby Club joined in a training session with the USA 7s national side.

Among 150 youngsters from across Cheshire, Manchester and North Wales at the Chester RUFC event were the Wilmslow under 10s team.

Juniors took part in a number of rugby skills drills and development exercises with a USA side that was in the UK making preparations for the HSBC 7s event happening in London.

Rugby is rapidly growing in popularity in the USA and their team boasts some major stars on the 7s circuit including Carlin Isles, who is currently the fastest 7s player in the world.

Wilmslow coach Marcus Uprichard said: “This event was brilliantly ran and the kids learnt an awful lot in just three hours.

“We will be taking away some really engaging coaching techniques to use in our under 11s training from September.”

One of the players, Toby Archer, added: ‘It was a really fun event, I learnt a lot.

“The main thing in rugby is to have fun with your friends. It was really exciting to meet professional players too.”

The event was organised by The Athlete Factory and AFYA Sports Training, who followed up this session with a workshop for players aged 13 to 17.