Inspiring a next generation: Rugby grips hundreds of children

Hundreds of school children have trying game for first time after the success of the World Cup. Credit: ITV News

While England's World Cup exploits fell well short of expectations, it seems the tournament's impact on the grass roots of the game has been far more successful.

More than a hundred boys took part in the Festival of Rugby in Bristol today:

The Festival aimed to help people get to know the sport. This tournament gathering was replicated across the nation, many getting hands on with the game for the first time.

The support of the game's governing body is helping to harness the next generation of players.

The RFU, the richest union in the world, has invested time and money into the game through their All Schools Programme, employing coaches to take the game into those schools which don't have the long legacy enjoy.

Getting stuck in: putting in the gumshields, tying up the boots and fixing the scrum caps. Credit: ITV News

Participation amongst girls is also rapidly climbing.

From the disappointment of a World Cup exit, the future of the game at least, seems bright.