SCHOOL friends Matthew Dutton and Joe Baldwin scored success representing England in the Kids World Rugby Festival at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, this weekend.
Matthew, from Knutsford, and Joe, whose grandparents live in the town, were among a group of students from St Ambrose College in Hale Barns who were chosen to take part in the event.
Matthew and Joe won both their matches.
The boys in their England kits
The festival was a promotional event before September’s Rugby World Cup in Tokyo and other major Japanese cities.
The opportunity arose for Matthew and Joe due to the St Ambrose rugby team's success.
St Ambrose Under 13s have been unbeaten in 24 games this year against some of the country's top sides and, at the time of selection in October, their Under 12s had a similar unbeaten record.
From this, they were chosen to represent England in the promotional tour funded by the Japanese RFU.
Matthew and Joe arriving at Tokyo Airport
Only 16 boys were picked from the many rugby teams at St Ambrose, including some of the younger second years who also qualified for the under 12s.
Sponsorship for the tour was acquired from Japanese tractor manufacturer Kubota, among others, and the boys have an England playing kit specially designed by Kukri.
Matthew’s dad’s company K Farm Machinery helped sponsor the kits.
Matthew and Joe with their fellow team-mates
The boys were unaware it was such a big event until they were met by paparazzi at Tokyo Airport.
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