Pupils at Feltham Community College were among six other schools gripped by Rugby World Cup fever this month.

With regional rugby festivals taking place across the country, Year 7 and 8 pupils were put through their paces at Allianz Park, the home of London Saracens, where England women's player Vicky Fleetwood and former England international Maggie Alphonsi were on hand to help run the event.

Feltham Community College were joined by five other schools from north London, and split into 12 teams, to learn the ropes and play the game, as part of the England Rugby All Schools programme.

The initiative was set up to increase the number of secondary state schools playing rugby and so far 86,500 children who normally wouldn't have access to the sport have taken it up through part of the scheme.

The event was run by coaches from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and volunteers from partners at real-estate firm CBRE.

Guy Gregory of CBRE, said: “Taking part in sport not only has long-term health and well-being benefits but it also develops the so called ‘soft skills’ of communication, teamwork and confidence that over a lifetime will boost employability.

"There is a great opportunity for business to play a role in encouraging more children, particularly girls to engage in sport.

"This is why we are proud to be the principal partner of England Rugby’s All Schools programme that aims to create a positive legacy for one million children from a diverse range of backgrounds through rugby and its core values.”

All Schools aims to have an extra 400 schools playing rugby union by 2015, and 750 extra schools by 2019.