THE next generation of Gloucester Rugby stars will lock horns today (Sunday) backed by club captain Tom Savage, as clubs from around the West Country battle to make it to Twickenham in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, writes Pippa Field.

The event this weekend, which will feature youngsters from Cirencester U11s & U12s, Minchinhampton U11s & U12s and Stow-on-the-Wold U11s & U12s, will be hosted by Gloucester and takes place at Rendcomb College.

The competition has run successfully since the 2008-09 season – and the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup is the first national grassroots tournament officiated by Premiership Rugby.

More than 40,000 children have played in the tournament to date, with the winners from each festival taking part in the Parade of Champions at the Aviva Premiership rugby final at Twickenham in May, when they are presented to a sell-out crowd at half-time.

Speaking ahead of the event, Savage said: "These grassroots initiatives – supported by partners such as Land Rover – are the foundations of rugby in the community, and something we should be really proud of.

"I'm sure there will be some of the next generation of Gloucester rugby players on show. I still remember playing at this age and loving my rugby so I can't wait to get along and see the children enjoying the game like I did."

Land Rover is proud to be supporting the development of rugby through their sponsorship of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, Premiership Rugby Academy and the award-winning Hitz programme.