Hundreds of young rugby players got the chance to show off their skills and love for the sport as the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup returned to Northampton Saints last weekend.

After previous events held by Exeter Chiefs, Bristol Bears and Worcester Warriors, Northampton Saints hosted an exciting Under-12 grassroots developmental festival on Saturday at Northampton Old Scouts Rugby Club, with a myriad of teams from Northampton and surrounding areas locking horns.

This successful series of nationwide events, now running for nearly two decades and organised by Land Rover – the Official Vehicle of Premiership Rugby – has seen more than 100,000 children take part to date, with some realising their dreams of going on to play for Premiership Rugby clubs.

Saints stars Alex Coles and Fraser Dingwall were among those in attendance, with 15 clubs in the U12 festival competing in a celebration of the sport's grassroots foundations.

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There was also the prize of attending this year's Gallagher Premiership Rugby season finale at Twickenham on 18 June at stake.

Newbury RFC won on tries scored after four periods of extra time during a nail-biting final contest. 

And Newbury RFC captain Henri-Tomas Bray, who led his team to victory in the final, was grateful for the support of his coaches.

Bray, 11, said: "Our coaches are brilliant. 

"All the boys love it, it's brilliant, and Newbury is becoming an even bigger team now. 

"We have about 40 boys, and it is starting to be difficult to choose a team because there are so many of us turning up. 

"It's really good to be playing, and it is the last few games of the season, so we need to give it our all. 

"This type of tournament is brilliant because there are teams you have not played against before, so you do not know what to expect. 

"I love the physicality of rugby. In football, you can't get your anger out as much, but in rugby, you get to do it in a controlled way. 

"Obviously, it is good, but you have to keep it under control because you don't want to get penalised for it and end up seeing red or yellow cards." 

Land Rover ambassador Lewis Moody, who racked up 71 caps for England, added: "The return of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup across the country is a huge boost for grassroots rugby.

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"It is one of the longest standing national series of rugby festivals for Under-11 and Under-12 youngsters and is always a date in season that clubs look forward to being part of.

"It cannot be underestimated how important these grassroots rugby events are for rugby in the UK. Youngsters will learn vital lessons by playing in these festivals, that will serve them on and off the rugby pitch.

"To date, more than 100,000 youngsters have taken part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, with several players going on to play for Premiership Rugby clubs. This shows the pathway these youngsters can take on their rugby journey, thanks to Land Rover's support of grassroots rugby."

Land Rover has been supporting grassroots rugby in the UK for nearly two decades, through the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. Follow the latest Land Rover rugby activity on Twitter @LandRoverRugby #DiscoverRugby