ENGLAND star Dave Ward presented new Frampton Cotterell captain Paul Whitehead with a signed Harlequins shirt last weekend.

Ward and Whitehead went to school together at The Ridings, now known as Winterbourne International Academy and the Harlequins hooker made the visit to show his support for his old pal in Frampton's first pre-season friendly against Welsh outfit Risca.

He handed the kit over at the club's annual pre-season barbecue.

Frampton Cotterell won the game against their coach Mike Ashwin’s previous employers 12-7.

The hosts fielded a very inexperienced side with a number of players making their senior debuts for the club, including Jim Ward, Joe Cleary, Liam Giles and Dan Spalding.

However, it was veteran winger Simon Belsten who opened the scoring with a well worked move which resulted in him powering over in the corner.

The game was fiercely contested throughout with a number of players looking to stake a claim for the first team place in the following weeks.

Towards the end Risca thought they had snatched the win with Geraint Roberts powering over from close range, with the conversion taking them ahead but the drama was not yet over.

Frampton responded immediately and with great hands from the back line Ben Milky soon found himself in space and used his explosive pace to outstrip his opponent and score in the corner, with the conversion sealing the win.