Rugby star Jack Nowell related to Somme soldier

Jack Nowell with the names of the 19240 men killed on the first day of the battle Credit: ITV West Country

Jack Nowell was at a fundraising dinner at Exeter Chiefs for the Shrouds of the Somme charity when he discovered his great great uncle was one of the 19240 men killed on the first day of the battle.

The rugby star said he was shocked at the discovery

Every single soldier is being commemorated with a shrouded figure being constructed by Rob Heard in Somerset.

He is working against the clock to finish in time for the 100th anniversary on July the first.

Each figure is being hand made Credit: ITV West Country

Today Jack crossed his relative's name off the list - Francis Nowell.

Francis Nowell's name is crossed off the list Credit: ITV West Country

Jack is well known to England rugby fans. He was very much in the thick of it during England's six nations triumph and did well in the World Cup.

He'll be going to see the figures when they're laid out to in Exeter's Northernhay Gardens.