Two England rugby internationals made an appearance in Newquay on Saturday as part of a national campaign.

Chris Ashton and Joe Launchbury attended Newquay Hornet’s match against St Just.

Their visit follows The Rugby Football Union (RFU) selecting Newquay Hornets to enjoy a special treatment day as part in its Play Together Stay Together campaign, which aims to help rugby clubs to gain and retain players.

The RFU treated the club’s match as if it was an England Rugby international fixture.

They produced a team sheet and sharing this on England Rugby social media, and live streaming the match with commentary on England Rugby channels. 

The match doubled up as a league and cup encounter, with hosts Newquay running out 15-8 winners.

Left to right Joe Launchbury and Chris Ashton (Sloth Productions)

Ashton and Launchbury, who have 109 England caps between them, coached each side in the build-up and relished sampling a taste of grassroots rugby.

Read more in Wednesday’s Newquay Voice.