Rugby legend Bill Beaumont breaks ground at Stafford Rugby Club's new home

The ex-England and British Lion lock - who famously captained England to Grand Slam victory in the 1980 Five Nations - was invited by club bosses to put the first spade in the ground.

The club's relocation has been nearly three decades in the making. Work will now get underway at the site off Blackberry Lane with the club hoping to complete the move in September 2018.

WATCH Bill Beaumont at the sod cutting ceremony

Mr Beaumont, who is Chairman of World Rugby, said: "This club at the moment is one of enthusiasm and excitement.

"The relocation will reinvigorate rugby here. They are still within the town, so people can come and watch, and kids can ride their bikes to training.

"When you look at the facilities they will put in it will be fantastic for not only matches but for training too."

The plans include building a clubhouse and installing four full-sized pitches, one of which will be all-weather.

At the current site one mile away in Castlefields there are controversial plans to build 70 homes on training pitches.

Another playing field there has been earmarked for a 64-bed retirement complex which councillors are set to discuss tonight.

Mr Beaumont, aged 65, made his England debut in 1975 and went on to win 34 caps including 21 as captain. He went on to be a captain on BBC TV quiz show A Question of Sport.