WORLD Cup rugby heroes Iain Balshaw and Will Greenwood were always destined to be stars -- according to the man who introduced them to the game.

Phil Mahon, principal of Oakhill College, Whalley, said the "old boys" were budding athletes from the word go.

And now they are international stars, the former Waterloo RUFC and Lancashire County fly half, has looked back on their rise to fame.

Mr Mahon, who was the deputy head and master in charge of rugby at preparatory school St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst, prior to becoming principal at Oakhill College, said: "Iain came to St Mary's Hall as a good athlete and sportsman with no knowledge of rugby.

"He was an outstanding tennis player, many believed he could have made a living at this game although his parents were concerned about his 'John McEnroe' type antics and were very keen for Iain to be involved in a team game.

"From an early age Iain showed, no matter what game, he played, he played to win. A natural winger with superb balance, speed and acceleration, his ability to beat opponents saw him become a star of the school teams."

Former Stonyhurst College pupil, Will, from Hurst Green, who plays for Harlequins, and Iain, who plays for Bath, were given a heroes' welcome when they touched down at Heathrow Airport in November after winning the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Blackburn-born Iain's dad Fred is the St Mary's Hall caretaker, and along with Iain's mother Margaret, lives in the grounds of Stonyhurst College.

Mr Mahon said: "Will was from a very different background to Iain -- his father had captained and coached England and he almost certainly slept with a rugby ball in his cot.

"The evidence of this, and of the many hours spent playing rugby with dad in the garden, was plain to see when he arrived at St Mary's Hall.

"He had great ball skills and was one of the best passers of a rugby ball I had seen at such an early age. Despite his small stature -- what a change from today -- his vision and understanding of the game made him a great team player. He was able to play in all positions in the back line, but at St Mary's Hall his ability to read and understand the game and bring the best out of other players, made him a wonderful fly half."

But from early on, the coach knew they were destined for the bright lights of international rugby.

"It is interesting to note how the qualities shown in these early days have helped them gain the highest possible honour in the game of rugby, playing for their country and winning a World Cup Final," he said.

"Another key lesson in my experience is that despite their different backgrounds, both were supported loyally and continually by their parents and never put under pressure to achieve." Will continued his rugby after St Mary's Hall at Sedbergh School, in Cumbria, where Phil Mahon's son is now Head of Sport and is hopeful of coaching some future England internationals.