The Aviva Premiership Rugby Final may still be a little over five months away but youngsters from Rosslyn Park RFC are already counting down the days – thanks to their efforts and skill at last weekend’s Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.

On Sunday, Rosslyn Park Under-12s took to the field for the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, hosted by London Irish at Henley RFC. 

Not only did they get to strut their stuff in front of a host of on-looking London Irish players, but the players also secured the opportunity to appear at next May’s Aviva Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham, where they will take part in a special half-time parade.

More than 30 under-11 and under-12 teams took part in this weekend’s grassroots rugby festival – which is celebrating its tenth anniversary year and has seen more than 70,000 children take part to date – with Rosslyn Park loving every second.

“We are so happy to have won,” said 12-year-old Sebastian Cederwell, who attends Eaton House The Manor School.

“At the start of the final, I didn’t think it looked too promising, but then we went on to dominate most of the game.

“We had been looking forward to this tournament throughout the week. Last week we had a really tough training session in preparation.

“Defending is one of our biggest strengths as a team, and our rucking and kicking is really good.

“Walking out at Twickenham is going to be such a great experience. I can’t wait to look out at the crowd.”

As well as taking part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade during next May’s final, Rosslyn Park can also look forward to meeting a Land Rover rugby ambassador at Twickenham and hear which of them has won a club MVP award.

They got a taste of rubbing shoulders with rugby’s elite when they met London Irish players on Sunday and academy star Tom Parton was impressed with what he saw, in particular stressing the importance of grassroots rugby.

“I’ve massively enjoyed watching the rugby,” he said.

“There has been so much talent on show and it’s good to see everyone having so much fun.

“There is such a good atmosphere and it was a great event all round.

“It’s so important to support grassroots rugby, we all started at this level and this is where you learn your trade.

“It’s where you get the experience and then you build up. It’s important to show your talent as well as make new friends, and that’s what rugby is all about.”

Land Rover is celebrating its ‘Testimonial Season’; ten years of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. The national series of grassroots rugby festivals is testament to Land Rover’s continued support of grassroots rugby through its ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal