Former international players joined business leaders and community VIPs for a front row seat at Chester Rugby Union Club’s official kit launch at Willington Hall Hotel, near Tarporley.

The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Kathy Cowell, and president of the Cheshire RFU, Paul Warrington, were among 120 guests celebrating the club’s ambitious plans to encourage more young people to take up the sport.

The club already boasts around 1,000 members with teams catering for a range of age groups from under sixes through to the senior first team. There’s also a flourishing women’s squad known as the Devas and a thriving touch rugby team.

Simon Begbie, owner of Willington Hall, said: ‘The club is fully focused on being at the centre of the community and we’re looking forward to extending our involvement in the club’s wider activities over the coming 12 months.’