It’s not every day a World Cup winner gives out medals to students but that was certainly the case at Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) recently.

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Following a remarkable season where both their Year 4 and 5A teams were crowned champions in the Rugby Competitive League, DESS teachers ensured the players’ efforts on the field were duly rewarded by inviting England’s 2003 World Cup winner Steve Thompson to their premises.

The Dubai resident handed out the winning medals to the players in front of their peers in assembly. The 36-year-old also held a question and answer session and posed for pictures with the students.

It was no surprise that the winning players were in awe of meeting the former hooker.

Year Five student Max Rideout, said: “It was a great opportunity for us to meet a rugby legend but it was especially inspiring for me as I play as hooker – and that is the position which Steve played in.”

And Year Four’s Sam Masters said: “Being presented with our medals by a World Cup winner was amazing and was very inspirational indeed.”

More than 20 schools across Dubai took part in different age categories and organiser James Ham said: “The leagues have been fierce and I want to thank all the children who played this season. They can be very proud of their efforts.”