THE real impact of England's World Cup victory is likely to be felt most at junior and minis level.

Youngsters inspired by the exploits of Jonny Wilkinson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson have been flocking to rugby clubs in their droves.

At Wootton Bassett, around a dozen extra youngsters have taken up the sport this season, as their youth programme continues to expand at a rate of knots.

Club skipper Mark Roshier, who also helps run teams in the junior section, said: "We have picked up more players in the last few weeks and, looking at all the age groups throughout the club, most if not all are now running two teams.''

Swindon RFC's junior section had already seen a 25 per cent increase in its intake at the start of this season compared to last, and received several calls from parents the day after England's World Cup success.

They now boast more than 250 young players on their books in ages ranging from seven to 17.

Junior section spokeswoman Rebecca Price said: "We have up to 50 more youngsters that we have picked up, to take our membership over 250.

"I am sure we are going to continue to have more coming along to play the game after the World Cup.

"We've done a lot of fund-raising, plus things like the Old Town Parade where we have handed out leaflets about the club.''

The club has introduced two new teams this season, at under 13 and under 17 level and such is the growth in junior rugby at Swindon, the club is in the process of securing land adjacent to their Greenbridge Road base on a rental basis from the University of Bath, in order to house more pitches to cope with the influx.

Price explained: "In the past, we have even had to rent pitches from Supermarine to play matches, but hopefully we will be able to increase our number of pitches soon.

"We have got tours organised for later in the season and lots of other things. Our under 15s are going to spend a day with the Army, while the under 13s will spend a session with the coaches from London Irish.

"Youngsters just love being involved and playing the game.''

The progress made by local clubs' junior sections from Cirencester to Supermarine, Chippenham to Wootton Bassett, and Corsham to Swindon flies in the face of the RFU's own figures, which reveal an alarming slump in rugby being played in schools.

The sport ranks 15th among school sports and physical activities behind dance.