BUDDING rugby players have met two of the sport's stars.

Newcastle Falcons club captain Mark Andrews and England international Garath Archer have launched the second phase of a major development at Consett Rugby Club.

The Zurich Premiership club's captain and new signing signalled work to begin on a half-a-million pound project and gave a talk on how the new facilities will be able to help youngsters in the region to improve their rugby skills.

The second phase of the £700,000 development, which is to be constructed by Brambledown Landscapes, includes two new grass floodlit pitches, an all-weather floodlit pitch, plus fencing and a new car park.

John O'Connor, Consett club chairman, said: "The completion of the second phase will be a real landmark for the Consett club.

"We have waited a number of years to reach this point and the fact that we will be able to offer local schools and our home teams better facilities will make a huge difference to their performance.

"We are delighted that one of the most recognised faces in rugby has agreed to come and launch the development."

Mark Andrews said: "Consett Rugby Club has invested a lot of time and money with the sole aim of offering better facilities to the local community.

"Investing in new infrastructure has made a huge difference at the Newcastle Falcons stadium and I have no doubt it will have a very positive effect on both the teams playing in Derwentside and the club itself."

A Sport England lottery grant provided £400,000 of the funding for the project and the rest came from Derwentside District Council and fundraising by the club.

Mr O'Connor, who is also the Falcons district co-ordinator, has been working to raise the cash for the last eight years.

He originally applied for a lottery grant in 1995 and had his third submission approved.

The first phase, construction of a £200,000 club house, is now complete. The rest of the facilities will be ready in time for the 2004 season.

The club opens its facilities up to all local schools in the area. In the last year they have played host to 33 school rugby teams and to the Derwentside district teams from under 12s to under 16s.