Will Kaye, right, gets down to ripping the ball away from Matt ‘Santa Claus’ Banahan on Sunday morning

SANTA got a decidedly rough welcome when he turned up unannounced at Jersey Rugby Academy’s final training session of the year on Sunday.

But that was nothing unsual for this particular Mr Claus, who was immediately recognised as being Jerseyman Matt Banahan, the Bath and England winger.

Believed to be the biggest Santa ever spotted in Jersey, 6 ft 7 in Banahan was joined by Jersey captain Talite Vaioletti, hardly elf-sized himself, in taking the U12s for a coaching session that was finished off with a game, the highlight of which was youngster Graham Noel (obviously a relative) outpacing the England back to score the winning try.

The former Jersey RFC Academy player then held a question and answer session for the youngsters, inbetween signing a host of autographs. The surprise visit follows on from the former Siam Cup winner having presented the prizes and certificates to Bath Rugby’s Education Centre last week.