EAST Lancashire is hoping three Stonyhurst stars can become World Cup winners tomorrow.

For rugby stars Iain Balshaw, Kyran Bracken and Will Greenwood, ex-pupils of the Ribble Valley's Stonyhurst College, could each play a part in England's Rugby World Cup final match against Australia.

Simon Charles, the college's director of sport, said it was a remarkable achievement for three old boys to be part of a team which could go down as the greatest ever.

He added: "We are all so proud of their achievements. The tournament has brought it very much home to our pupils of what they could achieve as they see three people who were walking around these corridors a few years ago doing so well."

The college has cancelled lessons tomorrow morning so 300 pupils can watch the game, which kicks off a 9am, on a big screen.

Mr Charles is in a good position to make a prediction for the game as Will Greenwood's mum Susan is a maths teacher at the college and Iain Balshaw's dad Fred is the caretaker.

Susan, who has been writing a World Cup diary for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, and her husband Richard, former England rugby captain, have flown out to Australia to watch the final.

Mr Charles added: "We've been hearing about everything before everyone else, like who is injured and things like that. It has been nice having an insider in the camp.

"I think England started the tournament slowly, but they are coming good at the right time."