WELSH internationals Ryan Jones, Ian Gough and Luke Charteris were all unanimous in singing the praises of the recent Abergavenny rugby festival, calling it 'a great advert for the game.'

Now in its eighth year, the festival which is held at the Usk showground every May bank holiday goes from strength to strength and this year was no exception.

An incredible 12,000 people flocked through the gates over the two day period and an admirable 4,000 children participated in rugby matches.

Children from all over the country attended to represent their clubs. And for the first time teams from Soctland and Ireland decided to get in on the action and join their Welsh and English counterparts.

And the festival obviously left an impression on our Celtic cousins for they have already expressed their eagerness to participate again next year.

High standards of fast and flowing rugby set the tone for the weekend and it was very much a tournament where every team was challenged but not one team dominated.

The children played with a tenacity and desire for victory that was inspiring, but by the same token every player who tied up their laces were clearly having a ball.

The sense of teamwork and fairplay was evident amongst the youngsters, even to the point of when a side turned up with a few men short the other team would happily oblige by supplying the extra numbers.

Friendships were formed, bonds were built and telephone numbers were exchanged in what is now believed to be the biggest sporting event of its kind for children in Wales.

Ospreys Lock Ian Gough told the Chronicle, "This is the fourth year running I have supported this extravaganza of rugby and each year it seems to get better. Having grown up in the local area and seeing the volume of children playing this weekend it makes me so proud that rugby at grass root levels is being coached with dedication, commitment and most of all with fun in mind.

"The children could not do this without the hoards of volunteers who willingly give their time and money to make sure that the youngsters of today have the right start to become our players of tomorrow. Abergavenny Mini and Junior section deserve credit for putting on such an event where win or lose, it's only the children that win. I know Welsh Rugby is in safe hands for years to come. Well done."

Gwent Dragon Luke Charteris added, "Ian mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago 'Do you fancy coming along to a little rugby festival and signing some autographs, won't take long!' As I drove down the lane and looked at the showground I couldn't believe it. I was absolutely blown away by the size of the event, the standard of rugby and above all the fun everybody was having, what a great advert for the game. Brilliant!"

And Ryan Jones had this to say, "England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales all playing rugby in South Wales on the same day, what a festival to remember! Players were forming new friendships, swapping phone numbers and arranging to meet up, mums and dads were worrying about the cost and travelling arrangements, but hey, there's always next year!

"If rugby wanted an advert then here it is. Congratulations to Abergavenny for putting on such a great weekend for all to enjoy! I'll be back."

However, the praise for what is fast becoming an internationally renowned event, didn't end there, no less than the Vice Chairman of the WRU Ken Hewitt said, "This event must now surely rank amongst the biggest and most successful Festival of its kind in the UK and thoroughly deserves that status.

"It was a superbly organized event where Rugby skills and enthusiasm were evident in abundance and this reflected so well not only on the players but also on their coaches and can only auger well for the future of the game over the years to come."

In the immediate aftermath of the festival the organisers were inundated with messages praising the event such as the one from the Chairman of De La Salle Palmerston rugby club, Ciaran Daly who said, "There was an extraordinary feeling of kinship and camaraderie at this wonderful festival. The warm glow you get from sport made this trip so worthwhile. It's what a festival atmosphere is all about."

The coach for the North Dorset RFC Girls U18 team added, "This was the perfect event for any team wanting to play hard and party hard, and one we shall definitely be visiting again.

"Our players left over the moon after having visited Wales and one girl in particular articulated what everyone was thinking when she said, 'My God, everyone is so friendly. Abergavenny rocks.'"