SEE THE PICS | Sporty Kate Middleton has a ball on the rugby field

She ran, she kicked, she even scrummed – and in the process the Duchess of Cambridge scored major points with rugby fans for showing herself to be a jolly good sport in her new role as patron of English rugby.

The position of patron of Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union, held previously by Prince Harry before he bowed out from royal duty, was recently assigned to Kate by the queen. And the duchess has shown she's only too willing to step into her brother-in-law’s shoes.

In fact, the 40-year-old mom-of-three looked like she was having the time of her life as she donned the official black England tracksuit to join members of the men’s and women’s national squads for a training session at Twickenham in London.

Performing under the watchful eye of coach Eddie Jones, sporty Kate took part in a training drill with the men which saw her honing her drop kicks.

Preparing to throw the ball into the line-out. (PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images)

When she joined the women for their exercises she gave it her all and even managed to score a try.

And she looked super-chuffed when the players presented her with junior England kits for her kids. She revealed that Prince George (8) plays rugby at school while Princess Charlotte (6) and Prince Louis (3) play the game in the garden at home.

“They’re all enjoying it. Louis is kamikaze – we’re worrying about when he gets older, he'll be in the middle of everything,” she said. 

Members of the men’s team looked impressed with her kicking abilities. (PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images)

A giggling Kate is hoisted up in the air. (PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images)

The mom-of-three was not afraid to get stuck in with the ball. (PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Kate, who was an avid tennis and hockey player growing up, looked like she was having a ball. (PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images)

But her new patronage may cause a bit of tension in the Cambridge household as her husband, Princess William (39), is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.

“We’re terribly competitive. The fact we’re now supporting two different teams is going to make things interesting,” Kate said during her training session.

And it’s going to also be interesting for fans to witness the duke and duchess’ rivalry  – the pair are expected to attend some of England and Wales’ games during the Six Nations tournament.

The Duke of Cambridge congratulates Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones after their win at the Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff in 2019. (PHOTO: Gallo Images/Getty Images)

But England bosses are thrilled to have Kate rooting for their players.

“We look forward to working with the duchess in the years to come, and I know all levels of our sport will welcome her to the Rugby League family," says Ralph Rimmer, chief executive of the Rugby Football League.

Sources: people.com, Instagram, townandcountrymag.com, telegraph.co.uk