ENGLAND'S march to tomorrow's Rugby World Cup final has inspired hundreds more budding young stars to take up the sport.

Worcester Rugby Club, undefeated at the top of National League Division One, has seen a marked increase in turn-out for their junior teams as youngsters try to emulate heroes such as Jonny Wilkinson.

As the national side progressed through the early stages of the competition, the Warriors had around 400 juniors training on Saturday.

But excitement hit fever pitch when England clashed with Wales in the quarter-finals, as Sixways played host to around 1,000 seven to 12-year-olds.

"We have always had a good youth section but the World Cup has certainly sparked the imagination," said Mike Robins, operations director at the club.

Promotion

And title-chasing Worcester are anticipating an even greater impact on the club if they can secure promotion and England can lift the Webb-Ellis trophy.

"Having world champion players coming here week-in week-out would have a massive knock-on effect," said Mr Robins.

"It would more than double the crowds we are getting if we played Gloucester and Leicester on a regular basis.

"In fact we have already started plans to develop the stadium and increase capacity to accommodate bigger attendances."

While the players will be concentrating on their match with Exeter Chiefs this weekend, rugby fans can arrive at Sixways from 8am to watch the World Cup final.

Supporters will have to buy a ticket for the Exeter game, but can then stay at the ground from 8am until after the match, starting at 2pm.

Supporters who leave before the afternoon match will receive a full refund.

"We've brought the afternoon kick-off forward an hour because we thought it would be wise to cut the drinking time between the final and our match," said Mr Robins.