WORLD Cup winner Mike Tindall inspired his new club Minchinhampton to a Gloucester Three victory over local rivals Cainscross.

A packed Victory Park crowd saw the former Gloucester and England legend help his hometown side to a close-fought 29-14 victory to maintain their place near the top of the table.

The club have won all seven games this season and in the bottom tier of the local rugby pyramid. Smiths (Industries) currently lead the league by three points. 

Tindall had previously turned out for amateur club North Tawton in Devon,  and had helped with their coaching as part of an initiative to develop grassroots rugby.

Capped 75 times for England, Tindall started his professional career at Bath and spent eight years at the Rec before joining Gloucester in 2005, where he played 181 games.

He was made player-coach at Kingsholm in 2012 but opted to retire from professional rugby after failing to earn a new deal with the Cherry and Whites this summer.