By Jack Miller

HE MAY have missed out on the chance of walking out at Twickenham, but Minichinhampton Rugby Club Under-12 starlet Will Naish insisted he had still loved every minute of his Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup experience.

Launched during the 2008-09 season, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup is the first national grassroots tournament officiated by Premiership Rugby and run in conjunction with all 12 clubs.

And on Saturday Gloucester Rugby hosted their event as the top local under-11s and under-12s mini rugby teams met at Dean Close School.

In total over 7,000 children will participate over the course of the campaign as they go in search of a spot in the ‘Parade of Champions’ during half-time of the Aviva Premiership Grand Final.

And while Naish was not able to lift the Under-12s Cup trophy for a spot at Rugby HQ, his team going out in the pool stages despite winning two and drawing one of their three games, the 11-year-old remained proud of his side.

“These tournaments are really good for us, as we get to play a load of rugby and play teams that we would not usually play in our club fixtures,” said the Wycliffe College student.

“It’s a great day out and a lot of fun. Watching everyone else play rugby lets you see what they do well and try and get that into your game as well.

“It improves us as a team a lot too – the more game-time we can get the better.

“It’s really good Gloucester are involved in the festival and supporting us, even though they are not my favourite rugby team!”

The under-12s were not the only Minichinhampton side in action, as the under-11s also took to the field.

And 10-year-old Oliver Barlow said: “I really like getting to come to this festival and playing all the other teams. It is a lot of fun and everybody enjoyed themselves.

“We are all learning more about rugby, and trying to play more as a team and learn more about each other as players as well.”

Casting an eye over proceedings were Gloucester legends Fanolua and Adam Eustace, and Gloucester’s Community Rugby Development Manager Fanolua believes he saw more than a few players with huge potential.

He said: “They have played some outstanding rugby, and I was standing on the side of the pitch there with my mouth open as I could not believe the talent on show.

“I love coming down to watch and I always want to give as much as I can back to the people of Gloucester who welcomed me with open arms while I was playing at Kingsholm.

“It’s so important to get them playing in festivals like this – they can be with their friends, running out onto the pitch together, and working for one another which is what rugby is all about.”

Land Rover supports grassroots rugby and provides the opportunity for over 7,000 youngsters to take part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup each season. Keep up-to-date with the latest Land Rover rugby activity by following @premrugby and @LandRoverRugby.