Red Roses visit Melksham to 'inspire' new players

Red Roses Alex Matthews and Zoe Aldcroft at Melksham Rugby Club

Two World Cup-winning England rugby players have visited a grassroots club in the West to help inspire the next generation of players.

Red Roses captain Zoe Aldcroft and Alex Matthews visited Melksham Rugby Club on Sunday as part of RugbyFest, a nationwide celebration of the sport.

It comes a week after their victory against Canada saw them become World Champions for the third time.

Red Roses captain, Zoe Aldcroft, said: "We just want this momentum to continue, we want to keep inspiring, that's why it's so important that we, as Red Roses, keep getting involved in our communities."

The players spent Sunday afternoon in Melksham giving youngsters pep talks about playing rugby.

Hannah Berrelly, head coach for Melksham ladies, said: "It's all about the girls coming up through grassroots sports and rugby and collaborating with the Red Roses to get more girls playing in our community sport.

"To see their idols in person, let alone watching them over the past three months be successful and win the World Cup, it's phenomenal to have it here in Melksham."

Young players got tips from the Red Roses players

Alex Matthews said: "When we were younger, we didn't get the opportunity, so to see it now is honestly amazing."

She added that grassroots events are where "you learn the love for the game".

"Still to this day, grassroots are some of my best memories growing up, and you make friends for life at these sorts of events," she added.

Steve Grainger, executive director of Rugby development at England Rugby, said: "RugbyFest is a fantastic opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate rugby all over the country, and for our Red Roses to give back to the fans and communities who have got behind them and supported them over the years."