SIXTY members of Trowbridge Rugby Football Club took part in an inter-club Four Nations tournament on Saturday to compete for the inaugural Brian Dowling Trophy.

England Lions are battling against the Scottish Bravehearts, the Welsh Dragons and the Samoan Spartans in their bid to clinch the trophy.

The tournament is being staged to commemorate Trowbridge RFC stalwart Brian Dowling, who died aged 69 on August 1 last year.

His son Matthew 'Dilly' Dowling, 39, said: "It's been hard with the Covid-19 pandemic and not being able to play competitive matches.

"This tournament is just a bit of fun to bring the players together. They all train hard on Tuesday and Friday but once they cross the white line on Saturday it becomes competitive."

Mr Dowling Snr joined the club aged six and spent nearly 64 years there, as a player and then encouraging younger players and helping with events.

During the Four Nations tournament, the teams each have £1 million to 'buy and sell' players, some of whom may end up playing for another team this weekend.

Round 1 on Saturday saw the England Lions being beaten 45-25 by the Welsh Dragons, while the Scottish Bravehearts defeated the Samoan Spartans 35-25, whose captain is Samoan international Alafoti Faosiliva.

The players include Mr Dowling Snr's two grandsons, Sam and James Leat, who both scored on Saturday.

Round 2 on Saturday (October 31) will see the Lions v Bravehearts and the Dragons v Spartans. Round 3 on Saturday, November 14 will see the Lions v Spartans and the Dragons v Bravehearts.

Saturday's game (Oct 31) is being played on the same day as the Six Nations finale. The two matches will kick off 1pm prior to the Wales v Scotland and Italy v England games which will be shown live in the Doric Park clubhouse.

The two games on November 14 will kick off at 1.30pm respectively.