JUNIOR rugby clubs across Gloucestershire will once again get the opportunity to make it to Twickenham as the successful Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup returns with Gloucester Rugby hosting their event this Sunday at Dean Close School in Cheltenham, writes Jimmy Booker.

The under-11 and under-12 grassroots rugby festival is part of a series of nationwide events which provide aspiring young players the opportunity to play in a competitive event and meet professional players from Gloucester.

What’s more, one team from each age group will receive a trip to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final on June 1, where they will meet a Land Rover rugby ambassador, and join in a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade at half-time.

More than 30 clubs will lock horns at the Shelburne Road school this weekend, with the likes of Minchinhampton, Tetbury, Cirencester, Dursley and Stroud competing.

“The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup has been providing a platform for youngsters to get involved with rugby at a grassroots level for well over a decade now,” said Gloucester Rugby skipper Willi Heinz.

“The initiative allows the kids involved to develop their rugby skills by playing in a competitive competition, and further their rugby knowledge.

The events are designed to provide young players with a chance to play completive fixtures in a format that is appropriate for their ages and stage of development, all within the spirit of rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, which has been running for over a decade, has seen more than 82,000 children take part to date, from all over the country.

Several current Gallagher Premiership stars, including Newcastle Falcons’ Callum Chick, have progressed through the competition into senior rugby.

And new for this season, Land Rover will be introducing the Junior Land Rover Discovery of The Season award, which is intended to identify and reward one youngster who has showcased the values of rugby during the tournament.

Heinz continued: “Another great benefit of The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup is that the final is held at Twickenham. This provides an unparalleled professional experience for young players which can inspire them to keep active and strive to play professional sport.”

List of teams taking part: Stow-on-the-Wold U11, Cleve U11, Cirencester U11, Old Pats A U11, Old Pats B U11, Dursley U11, Lydney U11, Cheltenham Tigers U11, Minchinhampton U11, Frampton Cotterell U11, Tewkesbury U11, Banbury RFC U11, Painswick RFC U11, Tetbury RFC U11, Stroud RFC U11, Chosen Hill RFC U11, Chosen Hill U12, Cirencester U12, Clifton U12, Chipping Norton U12, Dursley U12, Stow-on-the-Wold U12, Longlevens U12, Thornbury U12, Tewkesbury U12, Cleve Rugby U12, Bredon Star U12, Minchinhampton U12, Chew Valley RFC U12, Lydney RFC U12, Matson RFC U12, Spartans RFC U12.

Land Rover has heritage in rugby at all levels; from grassroots to elite, sharing and understanding the values at the heart of the game. Follow @LandRoverRugby