Sports Features

Local lad Dan Hipkiss impressed spectators with his performance in England's edge-of-the-seat win over France on Saturday, 13 October - now he'll be hoping to do the same this weekend.

As with last Saturday's match, the 25-year-old will start on the replacement bench for the final against South Africa.

However, many rugby fans expected the Leicester Tigers player to be named in Saturday's starting line-up by coach Brian Ashton after his passionate semi-final display, replacing Josh Lewsey, who injured his hamstring.

Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Hipkiss

One group of fans who'll be willing Dan to make it on to the pitch are the management, players and spectators at Diss RFC, who will be cheering on the game from their clubhouse bar.

The home-grown hero, who went to Hartismere High School in Eye, started at the club when he was just nine.

By the time he was 13 he was showing huge promise and was picked for the England's youth under-16 team before signing up to Leicester Tigers.

Diss' honorary club chairman Norman Potter - who was in the crowd at last Saturday's emotional Paris game - says everyone at the club has taken delight at Dan's moment in the international spotlight.

"We couldn't be prouder," said Norman. "He's been be shining light for us and as this is our 50th anniversary this season it's put the gilt on it."

Despite Dan's ascent into Premiership and international rugby, he's always maintained links with the side which helped his talent to flourish.

"A couple of years ago we had an under-10 side play in a tournament at Leicester which started with 240 teams which Diss won," said Norman.

"Dan took time off from training for their match later that day and even came over to talk to the boys which was marvellous for them."

The star player has also found the time to write a series of columns for local newspaper Diss Express, keeping readers up-to-date with his feats in France.

Dan's recruitment to the international game has been recent - he made his debut in England's warm-up against Wales just two months ago.