HUNDREDS of primary school children descended on Kirkbie Kendal School to be put through their paces.

The Kendal Collaborative Partnership Festival of Rugby celebrated the start of the Rugby World Cup, which kicked off on Friday as hosts England defeated Fiji 35-11.

In total 270 year six pupils from eight primary schools in and around Kendal enjoyed a day of rugby with coaches from Newcastle Falcons, Kendal RUFC and The Rugby Football Union.

Supported by year ten and eleven volunteers from KKS, the coaches gave the primary school pupils the chance to take part in drills focussing on passing, catching and evasion skills.

“The aim of the day was to get as many primary school children playing as much rugby as possible for the day,” said Dean Barker, head of PE at KKS. “We wanted the pupils to enjoy the day and to think about playing rugby and watching and supporting their team at the World Cup. Stuart Lancaster (England's head coach) is a friend of mine and he did our school the honour of speaking at our Prizegiving two years ago so I wanted to show our support."