Harlequins and England Rugby star Leanne Riley joined pupils from across Richmond at the Switch Festival to encourage school girls to play rugby.

Pupils aged 11 and 12 from Twickenham School, Waldgrave School, Greycourt School, Richmond upon Thames School and Orleans Park took part in the friendly rugby matches last Wednesday October 18.

Leanne Riley was part of the hugely successful England Women’s Rugby World Cup squad this summer and provided training on the day as well as posing for pictures with her young fans.

She said: “It’s great to be able to come down here and see the girls in action; they’re actually having fun and that’s the best part.”

Ms Riley has been playing rugby since she was ten years old, at the time it was unusual and there were few opportunities for girls to try it out.

She said: “It’s massively changed from when I was in rugby; my secondary school didn’t offer it but thankfully I got in there due to starting when I was in primary school, now the attitude is totally different.”

This year ITV broadcasted the Women’s Rugby World Cup – in which England came second – one of the first times women’s rugby was broadcast on a mainstream television channel in the UK.

Ms Riley added: “If I went out in the street talking to people five years ago they wouldn’t know women played rugby!”

Twickenham School pupil Jazz Hall, 11, from Twickenham, said: “I really feel like I have found my calling playing rugby.

“I liked the sport but had not had much chance to play before I joined Twickenham School.

“Now that I have played with the Harlequins professionals I want to keep playing for the rest of my life.”

Ms Riley added: “I have seen some very promising young players out there today. It is great to see the next generation coming through.”

The Switch program starts with five weeks of non-contact rugby, developing the girls’ agility and teamwork and from then on they can progress to contact if they want.

Paul Wilson, foundation manager at Harlequins, said: “Switch is part of our strategy to deliver women and girls’ rugby to as many new participants as possible.

“It’s an offering to new secondary school students who may never have played before and gives them the benefit that rugby may bring, be that health, fitness and the core values such as discipline and teamwork.”

He added: “it’s not just about playing the game it’s about fitness and making new friends.”

The interschool festival is part of the Harlequins Foundation’s girls only Switch programme which has been running coaching sessions in Richmond schools since September 2017.

To find out more about Switch you can call 020 8410 6081.