Four players competing in this year’s tournament have won a once in a lifetime prize to become HSBC cubs and train with the British & Irish Lions.

Two players from the Junior competition and two players from the Preparatory competition were selected by the match referees for displaying sporting ability and the values associated with rugby.

Throughout the tournament, referees were on the lookout for children aged under 13 who demonstrated the core values of rugby as well as sporting ability; attributes such as friendship, courage, team work and fair play were as important as being good at the skills associated with rugby.

Charlie Morgan, who was competing in the Juniors competition for Gunnersbury Catholic School, and Joseph Gatus, who was also playing in the Juniors competition for Queen Elizabeth Wakefield, were awarded the coveted opportunity to train with the British & Irish Lions courtesy of Principal Partner HSBC.

From those competing in the Preparatory competition, Reece Brown, who studies at Dulwich Prep in London, and Harry Brierley, from Aysgarth School in Yorkshire, were the players selected by the match referees for displaying outstanding courage, integrity and fair play throughout their matches.

The four HSBC Cubs will attend an exclusive training session with the British & Irish Lions squad on 16th May before the squad leaves for Australia on their tour.

As part of their sponsorship of The British & Irish Lions, HSBC is partnering with youth rugby festivals across the British Isles in support of grassroots rugby. Over 8,000 children aged 7-18 will take part in youth rugby festivals supported by HSBC in the build-up to the Tour.

For more information about HSBC’s sponsorship of The British & Irish Lions, including details of exclusive customer offers, visit: http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/rugby-lions-tour.