INTERNATIONAL: The Duchess of Cambridge joined England Rugby players for a training session on Wednesday 2nd of February as she became patron of the Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union.

Kate Middleton was seen smiling and laughing as she practised throwing and kicking the ball with members of England women's rugby team. She was also lifted for a line-out and crouched for a scrum.

Kate was given the patronage by Queen Elizabeth II, to take over the role from her brother-in-law Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.

The training at London's Twickenham stadium came days ahead of the six nations campaign that starts this weekend.

The Men's, Women's, Wheelchair and Physical Disability Rugby League World Cups will be hosted in England in autumn 2022.

Since its founding in 1895, the Rugby Football League has been the national governing body for Rugby League in the UK.

The Rugby Football Union is the national governing body for grassroots and elite rugby union in England and is one of the largest sports organisations in the country with 1,900-member clubs.

^{PHOTO: THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE PLAYING RUGBY AT LONDON'S TWICKENHAM STADIUM DURING ENGLAND RUGBY TEAMS TRAINING SESSION}