England captain Chris Robshaw doing some coaching at his old club

Warlingham rugby club is to confer on two of its former players the ultimate honour: it is naming the club bar and main hall after them.

In the week that former Warlingham junior player Chris Robshaw, the England captain, gets the host nation’s Rugby World Cup campaign underway, hundreds of members at his first club at Hamsey Green are expected to be watching Friday night’s opening against Fiji in the re-named Chris Robshaw Room. The fan zone main hall will be called the Kay Wilson Hall in tribute to the former Warlingham wing who last year was part of England’s World Cup-winning team.

Both players’ England shirts are displayed proudly at the club, and the re-naming ceremony will take place as the Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 18.

England World Cup-winner Kay Wilson also returns to her first club for coaching duties

Peter Mattison, the Warlingham RFC chairman, said: “We’re extremely proud of both of these exceptional players who began their rugby journey here. They have both reached such great heights in the game yet still visit, help and support the club through coaching and inspiring our players and supporters, young and old. This speaks volumes about them as people, this club and the game of rugby as a whole.

“With excitement about the Rugby World Cup growing, naming the bar and hall after Chris and Kay seemed like the perfect tribute.

“They are both really pleased that we are supporting them in this way and we will of course welcome them back when they can.

“We’re encouraging all our members and the wider local community to join us at the club throughout the World Cup and to cheer England on. The whole country will be getting behind England and with Chris leading them we’re sure they can go all the way.”

Warlingham will be staging special events in the Chris Robshaw Room and Kay Wilson Hall throughout the World Cup, with special offers on food and drink, and activities for kids as well as the adults.

The club’s first XV – the leading side among the Croydon area’s local clubs, playing in London 2SW – starts its league season this Saturday, with a 2pm kick-off against Portsmouth at Limpsfield Road. Entry for spectators is free, and all are welcome.

The club’s mini and junior section got underway earlier this month, and welcomes players of all standards, boys and girls, including those who have never played before, aged from 6 (touch rugby is played up to 10 years old) through to 16. Training across all age groups is from 10am Sunday mornings.

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