AS FAR as ringing endorsements go, they cannot get much better for any young rugby player than being tipped for the top by World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio.

The former England star passed his eye over some of the best young talent at a training session at Twickenham and picked out eight-year-old Lenny Lawrence as one to watch.

Lenny, of Greenview Avenue, Shirley, is about to make the step up from tag to full blown rugby and was overwhelmed by the praise.

Orchard Way Primary School pupil Lenny said: "I was really pleased to meet and play in front of someone like Lawrence Dallaglio. Hopefully, if I train very hard, I'll be able to play like him one day."

Lenny's parents, Mark and Dawn, are understandably proud of their son, who last season played for Beckenham RFC's under-8s team.

Mr Lawrence said: "I used to play a bit myself. Nothing major, just for a local club.

"I love the sport and was really happy when he decided he wanted to play too."

News of his interest in rugby did not, at first, go down as well with his mum.

"I was a little worried because I thought he would get hurt," Mrs Lawrence said.

"But I wanted him to follow his dreams because I knew rugby was something he was really passionate about."

Lenny met Mr Dallaglio after winning the opportunity to take part in a national training day, organised by pesto maker Sacla, at Twickenham in June.

He was chosen after demonstrating to referees at a rugby festival all the "core values" of rugby, including discipline, teamwork and fair play.

Lenny hopes the experience will help him one day achieve his aim of playing for his favourite club, London Wasps, and then, if he trains very hard, representing England.

For now, though, the challenge will be when he makes the jump from tag rugby to the full contact version in September, with Beckenham's under-9s team.

"It's going to be tough but I am looking forward to it," said Lenny.

As for the chance of him playing professionally, Mrs Lawrence wants to keep her son's feet firmly on the ground.

She said: "We'll have to wait and see how he progresses, but his coaches think he can do really well."