Pupils, parents and staff were out in force at Trinity School over the weekend to welcome the French national rugby squad.

France selected the Shirley Park-based school in Croydon as one of their team bases for the Rugby World Cup last year, and since then the whole school has been preparing for their arrival.

Head coach Philippe Saint André and his squad walked through a line of cheering children and adults, many waving Tricolore flags or welcome banners that they had prepared specially for the occasion.

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Players shook hands with the pupils and signed rugby balls and t-shirts as they made their way to the sports pavilion.

Year 8 pupil Tom Leonard, 12, said: “It is so exciting to have international players at Trinity. It really makes me feel part of Rugby World Cup 2015.”

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Fans: Oliver Butler and Tom Leonard

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Tricolore tribute

Meanwhile, the school hosted a night with Sir Clive Woodward last week, with the World Cup winning coach formally opening Trinity’s new strength and conditioning centre, refurbished in preparation for the French arrival.

He then carried the Webb Ellis Cup into Trinity’s packed concert hall and laid it on its plinth - to be greeted by the school's boys' choir rendition of the World Cup anthem "World in Union".

Sir Clive said: "It was a pleasure to come to Trinity and talk to the school community about the making and training of champions, something which I am passionate about.

"The students asked some excellent questions afterwards and I was blown away by the choir.”

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Icon: Sir Clive Woodward with Trinity pupils Gabriel Ibitoye and Charlie Fatoma - year 13 students and members of the 1st XV Trinity rugby team