A Norfolk farmer has supplied goat meet to help sustain the hungry players of the Fijian team during their Rugby World Cup clash with England at Twickenham.

Every sports team needs something to put fire in their bellies ahead of the big match.

And it seems England's first opponents in the Rugby World Cup simply couldn't face those energy-sapping scrums, rucks and tackles without a hearty goat pie.

But when the Fiji team proudly strides out to battle the host nation at Twickenham, it will be a Norfolk farmer and lifelong England fan who has helped to feed their ambitions.

Following an order placed this week, Sam Steggles has supplied 15kg of goat meet from his herd at Fielding Cottage in Honingham, outside Norwich, which is destined to fill pies for the players from the South Pacific.

As a former recreational rugby player himself, Mr Steggles said he was proud to play a small part in the global spectacle which begins on September 18.

But he will be hoping that he has not created a nutritional advantage for England's foes in the crucial opening game of the tournament.

'The interesting thing is that it was only Tuesday that I went on a behind-the-scenes tour at Twickenham, which I had for a Christmas present,' he said. 'Then I get a call saying there were a lot of hungry rugby players who needed our help.

'I hope that it does some good. I suppose how many pies they need will depend on how well Fiji do. They might want some more towards the end of the month, and we have got more coming back in a couple of weeks from the slaughterhouse.

'It is just great to be a part of the whole excitement building up around the World Cup. I suppose the pinnacle for me would be to supply the French team with some goat's cheese next.'

Mr Steggles used to play rugby 'socially' for Holt, and his business sponsors the Tiny Triers youth team at the Crusaders rugby club in Little Melton.

During his trip to Twickenham, he said he got the chance to visit the England dressing room and sit in the seat of one of his favourite players – hooker Tom Youngs – who is also a big supporter of Norfolk farming having grown up with his brother and fellow England star Ben on the family farm near Aylsham.

Have you or your business got involved with the Rugby World Cup? Contact newsdesk@archant.co.uk.