As Saints formerly released plans for a new stadium the Liverpool Schools Rugby League World Cup kicked off at Sefton.

More than 400 children from schools across the city brought banners and shirts of their adopted country for the tournament as they produced a spectacle of tag rugby.

The tournament which saw firefighters from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Fit Kids project take the lead in organising the event, was the culmination of a series of coaching programmes supported by Sportsmatch -  the government funded scheme set up to help fund grass roots and community sports in England.

Saints’ Community Development Manager, Matt Daniels, said: “The tournament gets bigger and better every year and the standard of the games and talent on display was most impressive”.

Saints first team squad took time out from training to meet the youngsters and to take the RFL RESPECT message to the city. This year’s winners were Liverpool College (representing West Indies) who narrowly beat Rudston (Canada) in a close encounter.