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England Sevens coach Ben Ryan believes the National Academy Sevens has a huge future after witnessing some of the best emerging talent in the UK go through their paces last Saturday.

Sixteen teams of Under-19 players impressed a good crowd at Newbury RFC which resulted in Leciester Tigers beating Saracens in the Futures Cup final  50-12.

Manu Tuilagi, brother of Tigers’ big Samoan wing Alesana, proved he is another of the powerhouse family ready to make his mark with three tries in the final to cap a Man of the Tournament performance.

Ryan, accompanied by his England Sevens assistant Russell Earnshaw, praised tournament organiser Jason Forster, the director of rugby at Henley RFC, and his team for putting together a sevens tournament which, he believes, could lead to much greater things in years to come. The tournament is the brainchild of Henley RFC rugby director Jason Forster, the former Wales international back-row.

“I think it is brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and seeing the quality of players on show. It is a fantastic development tool to see players express their skills and keep putting more effort in game after game", said Ryan.

“From my point of view, at elite level, we can see the future and track these players with their clubs. I am England Sevens coach and I love this. Hopefully, we will see this as an international Home Nations Sevens in the future.

“This could have kick-started a tournament like that and this could be a selection tool for other Sevens tournaments.

“We had an England international Sevens man playing for Saracens but the aim should be where we get to a point where the annual Rosslyn Park Sevens provides for schools and this is tournament provides for 19 and 20 year olds. All the coaches have given us great feedback.”

Premiership sides from Sale, Leicester, London Irish, London Wasps, Leeds Carnegie and Saracens took on Welsh regions Newport Gwent Dragons and the Ospreys plus National League One sides Exeter, London Welsh, Bristol and Bedford.

There were two county teams taking part in Berkshire and Kent, while host side Newbury gained enthusiastic support from the locals as did the Baa Baas seven.

In the final of the Cup it was one way traffic with Tuilagi (3), Alex Lewington (2), Rickie Aley, Gareth Clarke and Will Hurrell going over with Saracens gaining consolation through Jake Sharp and James Short.

In the Plate it was the hosts Newbury who took beat Leeds 22-17 in the final having dramatically beaten Wasps in the Semis thanks to a last gasp penalty.

Ryan believes word will spread to all corners of the country and beyond about the National Academy Sevens, increasing the possibility that next year’s event will feature all Premiership teams, Welsh regions and others.

He added: “All the Premiership clubs will come next year while the Ospreys and Dragons will be telling the other Welsh regions, Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets.

“Something has started here and it fills an important gap in the age groups. Rugby is due to get Olympic status in October and this could be an Olympic sport for 2012.

“For the first time of trying, it is fantastic. There had to be 20 or 30 age group internationals there and we were looking at some very good talent.

“I can see this involving Scotland and Ireland too before we get France, Italy, Portugal and Spain on board. Who knows what will happen after that."