LEDBURY rugby fan Sophie Wilesmith was in the right place at the right time to meet British Lions stars on the other side of the world.

The former John Masefield High School pupils is in New Zealand on a gap year before going to university in Cardiff.

By chance, she bumped into Lions' skipper Brian O'Driscoll and full-back Josh Lewsey after a tour match against Bay of Plenty at Rotorua.

Sophie, daughter of Ledbury RFC president John Wilesmith, said: "Rugby really is a religion over here and the interest in the game is absolute. Consequently my knowledge of the sport has increased immeasurably!"

The 19-year-old is staying with her grandfather, Bob, who lives at Tauranga on North Island. She has been gaining work experience in a restaurant there.

But soon she will enjoy a two-week tour of South Island before returning home to Ledbury on August 18.

Suzanne said: "We are ever so proud of her. Sophie is a fan of rugby through her father and also her brother, Jack, who plays for the Ledbury 2nd team."