By Andrew Lawton, Sportsbeat

MINCHINHAMPTON U11s and U12s may have missed out on appearing at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham but starlet Johnny McLaughlin still insists he experienced a memorable weekend at a festival organised by Gloucester Rugby.

McLaughlin and Minchinhampton U12s had been hoping to head to Twickenham on May 27 to meet an England 2003 Rugby World Cup winner and join in a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade at half-time – but it wasn’t to be despite a strong performance at the rugby festival.

McLaughlin and his team received the opportunity after taking part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup – a nationwide series for U11 and U12 teams – at the weekend at Dean Close School.

The tournament was organised by Gloucester Rugby and saw Minchinhampton U11s and U12s as two of more than 30 teams took part in the festival.

“It’s been really fun apart from the one try that we conceded which was really annoying,” said 12-year-old McLaughlin.

“We did well as a unit, we tackled well and rucked well and passed the ball out – but maybe not enough – but the defensive line was good.

“We’ve come a long way since the start of the season, and even last season, it’s the same group pretty much in the two seasons we’ve been together.

“I feel the team have done a really good job today.”

The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup has seen nearly 68,000 children take part to date, from all over the country, providing opportunities for U11 and U12 players to play, develop and excel in the game.

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.

The festivals around the country celebrate rugby’s traditional core values of team work, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, rewarding players conduct, side-line conduct and game play.

And Gloucester Rugby took a break from Premiership Rugby action on Sunday to support the event in Cheltenham, with centre Andy Symons highlighting the importance of junior rugby in the club’s future success.

“It was a great day, the weather held off and there was a lot of talent on display, it took me back a long time to when I was playing in these tournaments myself,” the 25-year-old centre said.

“I definitely remember them, there was a few of us because I have two brothers and we were all there together, so it was always a manic day but it was good times and they’re good memories.

“It’s where it all starts, I remember those days running around with friends and family, and I just grew to love the game which was great.”

Land Rover is a proud supporter of grassroots rugby and has been a partner of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup for nearly a decade. Land Rover’s ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign continues to champion grassroots rugby through Premiership Rugby and the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal.