MERSEA Island RUFC got off the pitch and became stars of the small screen.

The club travelled to BT Sport’s Rugby Tonight programme’s London studio on Monday evening to be part of the show which was televised that night.

Hosted by rugby legends Matt Dawson, Martin Bayfield, Ben Kay and Austin Healey, the show wraps up the weekend action, interviews top rugby stars and has a demonstration team that they put through a number of moves.

And Mersea took the place of the demonstration team in the latest installment of the show.

Mersea coach and skipper Jon Williams said: “It was a fantastic experience.

“It was great for the club to be on a national TV programme as well as for rugby in the region.

“Lots of members came down to be part of the audience and the demonstration team.

“I’d like to thank Matt White from the club for organising such a great night and for a few Colchester players and former members who came down to help make up the numbers.”

And it was a special night for Jon’s 15-year-old son, Tom, who was given a passing masterclass from Healey and Dawson.

Jon said: “Tom had an amazing experience.

“In one of the breaks Healey came up to Tom and asked him what his pass was like. And they started passing the ball to each other. Tom has a good pass on him and they were throwing the ball at each other.

“Then Austin asked what his pass was like off the ground and started giving him tips. Tom’s brother Harry was itching to get on as well.

“As the programme was about to restart they were asked to stop but Dawson said to keep going and gave tips.

“Afterwards Bayfield said on air, that was what the programme was all about, a young player getting tips from two British Lions and it would live in his memory for ever.”

The club’s Andy Khan also took on the challenge of the Beast, a tackle machine that gives a rating on the hit.

Williams said: “The less said about the Beast the better.

“I don’t think the machine was working properly when Andy was on it, he only scored 187. The guy from the other club hit 470, one of the highest they have had.”

Williams added: “It was a great experience. Getting that close to some of the legends of the game and there was some great banter. Harry was getting some for wearing a Welsh shirt.”