YOUNG players from Darlington Rugby Club have honed their skills with the professionals at 10-time English champions Leicester Tigers.

The group took part in a Tigers Matchday Coaching Clinic and then joined a 20,000-strong crowd for the Gallagher Premiership fixture against Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road.

Tigers Matchday Coaching Clinics allow teams to work with Tigers coaches to develop their individual and team skills, as well as taking tips and techniques with them to work on in the rest of the season.

The Darlington players also had an opportunity to quiz Tigers development squad players Taylor Gough and Henri Lavin about life in professional rugby and then they soaked up the matchday atmosphere at Welford Road and watched the seniors in action.

They even managed to follow in the players' footsteps by having a team photo taken on the famous turf at half-time in front of the crowd.

John Furness accompanied the Darlington group for their photo alongside Tigers first-team squad players Fred Tuilagi and Matt Smith, and said: “It was a very early start to travel down this morning but everybody loved the coaching clinic.

“It was nice to have the events at Tigers In The Park between the clinic and the game too, but the kids were all excited about the match. It’s been a brilliant day!”