Staying fit past 50 is a tough challenge for most of us - but how about doing it by training for the next Rugby World Cup? That’s what a squad of some of England Rugby’s oldest players did at a training camp held at Wymondham RFC.

Their version of the game is Touch rugby and the players were all members of England’s over-50s - or Masters - squad getting ready for this summer’s European Championships and a World Cup in 2024.

“It’s an extremely fast-paced, skilful game at this level and players have to be real athletes,” explained Andy Sharpes, head coach of the Masters. “And this lot are - we have to be careful with injuries and recovery time, but fitness levels have to be really good. Games last 40 minutes and we can play back-to-back fixtures so there’s no hiding place.”

Touch rugby is a form of the sport stripped of tackles and bruising contact - instead players have to evade opponents using speed, agility and accurate passing. 

It is the first time that England Touch has fielded an over-50s squad, though several of the players represented Great Britain at the last World Cup in Kuala Lumpur three years ago. 

Three members of the squad are from Norfolk - Andy Verney, Iain Grisewood and Neil Davies. All sights now are fixed on the European Championships in Nottingham in August, followed by the next World Cup in two years’ time.

Andy Sharpes said: “We’re ambitious to win the Euros. It’s been tough under Covid to keep things going but we’ve managed really well and now we’re back together training we’re able to concentrate on detailed preparation.”

Wymondham RFC have their own mixed touch squad and are encouraging new players to join. Touch captain Andy Verney said: “Touch is such a great game not just for old rugby hands but for people who’ve never played the sport at all.

“It’s incredibly simple and social - and great fun to play. We’ve got mixed teams of men and women and because there’s no contact players of all ages and experience can join in.”

The Wymondham Touch players train on Thursday evenings and play games on Saturday afternoons. Anyone who is interested in finding out more can email touch@wymondhamrfc.com or check out the England Touch website at www.englandtouch.org.uk