RUGBY players swapped scrums and rucks for pens and paper to design their new shirt.

Pupils from Harwich and Dovercourt High School attended a workshop in Bury St Edmunds hosted by kit manufacturers Canterbury last week as part of the Rugby Football Union’s All Schools programme.

The school is one of 100 new schools to join the scheme, which encourages secondary school children to play rugby and to help new players join local clubs.

Students learned about the history, heritage, values and importance involved in creating a rugby shirt as well as the process of design and key elements to include.

The shirt will be provided by Canterbury for the school free of charge.

CEO Chris Stephenson said: “We are passionate about working together with the RFU on the All Schools project and are looking forward to supporting the schools by providing kit and the unique opportunity to design their own team shirt.

“It has been fantastic to see the impact rugby has had on the students taking part over the last two years and encouraging the schools are building such strong club links.”