Four budding pop stars reckon their early achievements in rugby have stood them in good stead for their new incarnation as a boy band.

The four members of Twen2y 4 se7en, who all met at Worth School in Crawley, have all given up promising sporting careers to pursue a life in the limelight.

And it's looking good so far - the group have been signed by Diablo Music Limited and have just returned from filming the video for their first single, Patiently Waiting, in Ibiza.

Founder Andy Keelahan, 18, thinks their sporty backgrounds have helped prepare them.

He said: "We were all sporty and we all played county rugby. The fact that we have all played sport helped because you need determination and teamwork for both."

Andy and brother Niall, 18, came up with the idea of forming a boy band while studying at Worth School.

They were soon joined by fellow pupil Radon Reynolds, 18, and Thom Evans, whom they met on holiday in Portugal.

Thom, the second cousin of TV celebrity Chris Evans, has played rugby for England under 19s. He said his famous relative had been an importance influence.

He added: "And it would be great to one day do a duet with his wife, Billie Piper."

Niall, who also plays golf and has a handicap of four, said Twen2y 4 se7en weren't going to be boy band clones.

He said: "We already knew each other so we weren't manufactured. We're also involved in writing the songs.

"Although our music is based around pop there are lots of different influences ranging from rock to R&B."

He added he was looking forward to the trappings of fame, but stressed there would be no bad boy behaviour.

He said: "A definite plus to it would be meeting lots of girls, but there's also the travelling and the performing which I love.

"All the boy bands are squeaky clean to begin with but the truth comes out in the end.

"There are definitely a few naughty boys in the group, but we're generally a well behaved bunch."

Patiently Waiting is released on Monday September 29.