International rugby stars made an appearance at the launch of a kids rugby class.

Mini Scrummers Rugby welcomed Worcester Warriors’ Caity Mattinson and Paige Farries to its launch event at Pershore High School last month.

The pair paid a quick visit to meet the 30 youngsters in attendance before they jetted off for the World Rugby Sevens Series and to prepare for the World Cup with their respective nations.

The club was founded by Warriors coach Lizzie Ranstead, who is looking to get children as young as 18 months playing rugby.

“We want to make every child comfortable and the activities they enjoy personal to each one of them,” she said.

“Mini Scrummers will help your child get physically active, teach them new skills and improve their co-ordination, speed and balance.

“We will also help them learn social skills while having lots of fun in a positive, safe and friendly environment.”

Sessions are aimed at children in two separate age groups, from 18 months to six years old, while parents and carers are encouraged to get involved as much or little as they like.

Every session involves two coaches meaning each receives one-to-one tuition.

Head coach Lizzie is joined by her partner Ash White, who has a wealth of age grade coaching experience and over 15 years of player expertise.

Lizzie meanwhile has a background as a senior leader in education and now works as a coach for Worcester Warriors where she has helped devise activities inline with the Early Years Framework.

She said: “Physical activity and play during early years are vital to children’s development.

“We want all children and their families to enjoy taking part in Early Year’s activities in a way that is as safe and inclusive as possible.

“We want to introduce them to the RFU Core Values that will help them throughout life.

"The core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, are important both for children both in rugby and in life, and all the adults they meet, who we hope will serve as role models providing positive experiences.”

Mini Scrummers Rugby is held every Sunday at Pershore High School and anyone looking for further information or wanting to book a free taster session can email miniscrummersrugby@gmail.com.