SPORTS-MAD students were given the chance to visit the most hollowed ground in English rugby.

Pupils at Gosfield School were blown away by the opportunity to visit the legendary Twickenham Stadium for a unique experience.

Before the start of term, pupils from some of Grays International’s (Gilbert) flagship schools, including Gosfield, took part in an event at the ground.

Twickenham is a hallowed place for England rugby fans with the 82,000-seater stadium being the home of the national team since opening in 1909.

The stadium is affectionately known as the ‘Cabbage Patch’ by fans due to he land previously being used to grown the vegetable.

For the fist time schools were not only allowed to to enjoy being on the pitch at Twickenham Stadium, but also took part in the launch and testing of a revolutionary new Gilbert rugby ball.

The ball is unique due to it having been fitted with a new revolutionary tracking chip.

Students played with the new Gilbert balls with their result readings all displayed in 3D on screens around the stadium.

The young athletes were also given expert coaching by a team of professional and world-class coaches including Simon Middleton, Louis Deacon, Paul Grayson and Flo Williams.

Head of Education at Grays International Carl Bailey said : “I hope today has been a wonderful occasion for everyone involved.

“The opportunity to have pupils from some of our finest flagship schools on the actual Twickenham pitch is truly a once in a lifetime experience for some of these young boys and girls.

“To put their kits on in the actual changing rooms, walk up the tunnel and run out on to the pitch and emulate the stars of rugby who have also walked out to represent their professional clubs and international countries is hopefully something that will stay with them for a long, long time.”