Hartpury College rugby players took their skills and speed to the next level as they faced the stars of the England national side.

The squad of 15 students from the Gloucester-based college took part in a training session with Eddie Jones’ senior England side at Pennyhill Park.

After a strict breakfast and a briefing from the country’s head coach, they were put through their paces by England and Hartpury’s coaching staff.

England used the session to prepare for their opening victory in the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland on 6 February.

Hartpury director of rugby, Alan Martinovic, said: “While we pride ourselves on the international players we produce, the majority of them won’t end up playing at this level, so it really was something special.”

Hartpury will provide the training opposition again ahead of England’s third match with Ireland at Twickenham on
27 February.

Main pic: Hartpury RFC winger Jonas Mikalcius, aged 21, (right) goes head-to-head with England national full-back, Mike Brown (left)