IT seems Bowdon Rugby Club’s guests took the sunshine with them all the way from Down Under on Sunday.

The Clay Lane club welcomed the under 20s Australian World Cup Rugby Squad as they touched down on English soil at the weekend.

The team travelled across the world to play in the 2016 Under 20s World Rugby Championship, which runs from June 7-25.

Bowdon RUFC has been chosen as one of the host clubs for the championship and will be providing training and hosting facilities for the national Australian squad.

The club held a welcoming event on June 5 for their Aussie guests before they faced England at the A J Bell Stadium on Wednesday 15 June.

The club’s mini section provided an impressive guard of honour while opera singer Martin Toal led the singing of the Australian national anthem, followed by a stirring rendition of Jerusalem with everyone joining in.

Speeches were given by sporting leaders, including the president of Bowdon RUFC Kevin Fallon and president of Cheshire RFU Paul Warrington, as well as Trafford Council leader Cllr Sean Anstee.

Commemorative medals were presented to both the Australian team and Bowdon minis.

The Australian squad then went through a variety of training moves with the Bowdon youngsters before signing shirts and chatting to the crowd.

Bowdon President said “This has been a great day for the club and I’m sure our minis will have enjoyed an experience they’ll never forget."