CARE home residents have welcomed a special visit to coincide with the Rugby World Cup.

First team players from Bournemouth Rugby Club (BRC) dropped in on Castle Dene care home to take part in a morning of activities.

Players participated in games with residents at the Care South-run home, at Throop Road, Bournemouth, which is a residential and dementia care home.

Lauren Tompkins, activities lead at Castle Dene, arranged the visit through connections with the rugby club.

Speaking afterwards, she said: “It was brilliant.

"The residents have been watching the world cup and are beginning to understand it.

"One of our residents used to play rugby and he was quite proud of the fact he has cauliflower ears."

Friday's visit took place the day before the English national team cruised into the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup in Japan, with a dominant six-try victory over 14-man Argentina.

England's remaining group game, a heavyweight clash with France this coming Saturday, is likely to decide which of the two teams tops the pool.

World cup prospects of all the home nations were discussed during BRC's care home visit, which Care South hopes will become a regular activity, similar to the partnership they have with AFC Bournemouth which sees players from the Premier League side visit homes across the conurbation.

Lauren said: “As well as signing balls, the team also agreed to donate raffle prizes to Castle Dene and invited residents to one of their matches.

“We’d like to thank the players for volunteering their time and for their generosity.”

Care South operates care homes across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.