HUNDREDS of junior rugby players will arrive at Holbrook's Royal Hospital School on Sunday for the third annual Club Youth Sevens tournament.Since its formation, the tournament - which this year will accommodate Under-13s, U14s, U15s, U16s and U17s - has grown year on year.

HUNDREDS of junior rugby players will arrive at Holbrook's Royal Hospital School on Sunday for the third annual Club Youth Sevens tournament.

Since its formation, the tournament - which this year will accommodate Under-13s, U14s, U15s, U16s and U17s - has grown year on year.

Following an entry of 30 teams in the first year, and 40 in the second, this year sees an impressive massive 58 teams from 12 Suffolk and north east Essex clubs.

Competing clubs include Bury St Edmunds, Clacton, Colchester, Diss, Hadleigh, Harwich, Haverhill, Ipswich, Southwold, Stowmarket, Sudbury and Woodbridge.

Suffolk Youth Chairman Ross Cowie said: “I am absolutely delighted with the support from all clubs this year. This year's event promises to be a fantastic occasion with around 600 boys playing rugby on the nine pitches at The Royal Hospital School.

“Sevens is a great way to start the rugby season, with its emphasis on speed and skills. This is an event where the small format allows the smaller clubs such as Hadleigh, Clacton and Stowmarket, all of whom have started youth sections in recent years and who sometimes struggle to field 15 boys at an age group, to compete with the established and very large clubs such as Colchester and Bury St Edmunds.

“I believe that this is probably one of the largest community events in the country, which is not a bad achievement for a small county.”

RHS Headmaster Howard Blackett, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to host this event, not only because rugby is important to us here at RHS but also because it gives us the opportunity to welcome so many young people into the school.”

All nine RHS rugby pitches will be used continuously from 10am until the finals are played at about 4pm.