Haydn McCann and Keiran Wilson, both in Year 10, travelled to Rovigo in north-east Italy as part of a Northants Barbarians squad.

They played four games including three against teams from the Italian academy with players a couple of years older than them. They also faced a county side from Ireland.

Haydn said: "We held them off alright considering the level they're at. They play a lot faster than we do. The whole experience was helpful."

Keiran added: "It helped us to see how other countries play rugby and how other rugby clubs are run in Italy."

The trip came about after an East Midlands referee, who is originally from Rovigo, asked the Northants Alliance and East Northants rugby teams to put a squad together for the Italian tournament.

The boys are hoping to return to Italy next year to take part in the tournament again.