A PROUD sports teacher at an East Lancashire college today watched three former pupils prepare for England's rugby World Cup campaign and said: "I always knew they would be stars".

Stonyhurst College sports director Simon Charles said the school was buzzing with anticipation at seeing three old boys battling for England in Australia to win rugby's biggest competition.

Will Greenwood, Iain Balshaw and Kyran Bracken are all former pupils of Stonyhurst College, or its preparatory school St Mary's Hall.

And they are part of the 30-man England squad who are hot favourites to win the World Cup crown from the Australians.

Mr Charles said: "All three were talented sportsmen in many areas, but in rugby they shone.

"Iain in particular contributed a great deal to sporting life at the college and won our Ryan Cup for Sporting Excellence twice, which has never been achieved by another pupil in the college's 400-year history.

"Pupils are excited by the forthcoming tournament and because of the time difference most matches will be televised in the late morning, so I'm sure something can be arranged with their lessons to enable them to watch.

"Iain visits the college quite a lot, as his father works here, and we are incredibly proud of all three of them.

"We will be following their progress in the tournament with great interest."

It is the second time that Will, who celebrates his 31st birthday during the competition, has been selected for a World Cup squad.

The Blackburn-born star, celebrated for his uncanny knack of unlocking the tightest of defences to score crucial tries, was born with a rugby in his blood - his dad Richard Greenwood is a former England captain.

"I used to kick the ball around with my friends for hours on end. I had a rugby ball in my hand since the year dot, so it was always going to be the only sport I would be interested in," he said.

Mum Susan, a maths teacher for 25 years at St Mary's Hall, is planning to go to Australia with husband Richard for the final rounds of the World Cup.

She said: "We're very proud of Will. It's a great achievement and a wonderful opportunity.

"He has been training hard and is really excited about the competition.

"As his mum, I'm very nervous. I don't want him to get injured and of course I want England to win. Iain's dad Fred Balshaw and I work together, so no doubt we will be nattering about England's progress at every opportunity."

Blackburn-born Iain, who at 24 is the youngest of the trio, has recently recovered from injuries that kept him out of the game for almost two years.

He has been capped at England Under-21 level and was a member of the training squad for last season's Five Nations tournament.

He was also a member of Stonyhurst College's record-breaking seven-a-side team, which won seven tournaments in 1996, including the national championships.

Parents Fred, who is the St Mary's Hall caretaker, and Margaret live in the grounds of Stonyhurst College.

Fred said: "We are so proud of Iain, particularly as he has had to fight back from injury, after being out for so long."

Scrum-half Kyran, 31, plays for Saracens and lives in London.

He recently organised a fundraising dinner at Stonyhurst College for children with special needs.

Former Stonyhurst College rugby internationals (date denotes first cap):

Noel McGrath - Ireland (1934)

Michael Sayers - Ireland (1935)

Charles Reidy - Ireland (1937)

Robin Godfrey - Ireland (1954)

Anthony Horton - England (1965)

Barry O'Driscoll - Ireland (1970)

John O'Driscoll - Ireland (1980)

Joseph Clarkson - USA (1980)

Kyran Bracken - England (1993)

Iain Balshaw - England (1999)