The hard work of volunteer Louise Jones behind the scenes at Saffron Walden Rugby Club has been rewarded with a trip to watch the England team train.

When she’s not working as an equine nutritionist, Jones devotes much of her spare time to helping out behind the scenes at the Henham-based club in support of a sport she loves.

The club felt her efforts deserved special recognition and nominated her to be invited to an event being staged by the RFU Union to honour the unsung heroes who help the sport at a local level.

Jones – whose brother Felix is a fullback for Munster and Ireland – was one of 12 people picked to attend a recent England senior team community engagement volunteer recognition Lunch.

The event was staged at St George’s Park, the home of the new National Football Centre, near Burton-Upon-Trent, and as well as being treated to a slap-up lunch, the volunteers were able to watch an England senior squad training session.

Louise, who works with horse feed specialist Dodson & Horrell of Kettering, is one of the key people involved in the Saffron Walden’s Fifty50 fundraising campaign which has already raised more than £30,000 towards a £50,000 target to improve facilities at the club.

She was behind a hugely successful Calendar Girls-style calendar of the players, has organised a number of fundraising events and is now in the process of organising a Ladies Night at the club.

The Saffron Walden resident also helps out serving match teas on a Saturday and has taken part in maintenance days at the clubhouse.

Club secretary Steve Langford, who nominated Jones, said: “It was fantastic that Louise’s contribution to our club was recognised by the RFU in this way. The many hours of help individuals like Louise give to our club make a huge difference.”