A YOUNG rugby player got the chance of a lifetime – training with the British Lions ahead of their tour of Australia.

Eight-year-old Oli Ford was part of a Huntingdon Stags team which won a mini rugby festival in Cambridge – Oli was crowned player of the tournament by the officials and won the chance to meet the Lions squad at their pre-tour training camp in Cardiff on May 16.

Oli, who lives in Hemingford Grey, was one of 23 children from across the country to train with the British Lions and was given kicking tuition from his favourite player Owen Farrell.

Oli told The Hunts Post: “It was really good. I sat next to Owen at lunch. The players were fantastic and were really cheeky.

“We played a touch rugby match with four Lions and four cubs and we won. I scored a try and one player even dodged Sam Warburton, who is the Lions captain.

“My favourite part was the kicking practice with Owen Farrell as I want to be a number 10 – he also signed my shirt.”

Oil also collected the signatures of Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny and other members of the squad.