Ledbury rugby fan Sophie Wilesmith was in the right place at the right time to meet British Lions stars on the other side of the world.

The former John Masefield High School pupil is in New Zealand on a gap year before going to university in Cardiff.

By chance, she bumped into Lions' skipper Brian O'Driscoll and full-back Josh Lewsey after a tour match against Bay of Plenty at Rotorua.

Sophie, daughter of Ledbury RFC president John Wilesmith, keeps up with news from home as mum Suzanne sends her the Ledbury Reporter each week.

"Rugby really is a religion over here and the interest in the game is absolute," she said, "Conse-quently my knowledge of the sport has increased immeasurably!"

The 19-year-old is staying with her grandfather, Bob, who lives at Tauranga on North Island. She has been gaining work experience in a restaurant there.

But soon she will enjoy a two-week tour of South Island before returning home to Ledbury on August 18.

Suzanne said: "We are ever so proud of her. Sophie is a fan of rugby through her father and also her brother, Jack, who plays for the Ledbury 2nd team.

"She was so thrilled to get her picture taken with the Lions.

"I send her the Reporter every week, with a letter, so she gets home news. She does get a little bit homesick, I think."