Former England skipper Lewis Moody is backing Return to Rugby – a new England Rugby campaign offering a social re-introduction to the game for former players.

Delivered at 50 hand-picked rugby clubs clustered around Rugby World Cup host cities, the campaign aims to bring 5,000 players back to the sport through a specially designed coaching programme.

The 50 clubs involved will receive training, kit, equipment and posters to help to attract players at a local level.

“I am involved in coaching at my local club, so I understand first-hand the challenges faced in recruiting new players," said Moody.

“This programme, alongside the enjoyment and excitement that a home World Cup brings, will help clubs get as many people as possible into this beautiful game.”

Steve Grainger, RFU Development Director, said: “Return to Rugby has been designed based on research we conducted with players who had stopped playing rugby, which suggested that they would be more inclined to return to the game if there was an opportunity to come back into clubs and re-learn the skills of rugby in a relevant way.

“We fully expect players to be inspired by the world’s best players during the upcoming Rugby World Cup and so it was important to ensure that there was an opportunity for them to play again in a way that was more aligned to what they need, but which ultimately leads to more players playing the game we love, more often.”

The programme was launched to clubs on 15 August and has already started to gain momentum. Gary Spinks, Chairman of Milton Keynes RFC, said: "Milton Keynes is a new town with many people moving here with work and family changes.

"We know that many people drop off the rugby radar when they move and we are looking forward to capturing them back into the game through Return to Rugby.”

For more information, head to the Return to Rugby website www.returntorugby.com