More than 1,000 young players from prep school took part in the regional festival of the National Schools Rugby Tournament at Epsom College on Sunday.

Despite bitterly cold conditions, more than 70 teams in the U9-U11 age groups took part.

Headmaster Stephen Borthwick said: “This tournament does much to support grassroots rugby in this country and lays good foundations for team spirit and the pursuit of sporting excellence.”

Epsom will host the national finals for the ninth time on February 28.