CARLISLE rugby union starlet Nathan Morris has won an England under-18 call-up to face the touring Australian schools this month.
The 16-year-old hooker has been named in the 23-man Conference squad even though he is a year younger than his rivals for the No2 shirt.
England under-18s will host the young Aussie side on December 13 in Sale, Greater Manchester.
Morris sealed his place in the squad with an impressive display in England’s recent 41-10 victory over the North Academies at Leeds University.
Another good performance will almost certainly see him keep his place for a Six Nations tournament in February.
He said: “I can’t wait for the game and I’ve been walking round with a big smile on my face. It’s a great honour to be selected and I can’t wait to get out there.
“I thought my selection was up in the air but I must have made a decent impression during the trial match.
“I thought I was fourth in the pecking order for hooker, and I just got my head down and put down the best marker I could.
“I had a good week of training with the squad, which probably also contributed to me being selected. It will be a very good fixture and we have a strong team. We can definitely win with the right mentality as we have the talent in the team.”
Morris, from Cargo, rose through the ranks at Carlisle Rugby Club and has played for their Colts’ side this season.
One of his England shirts hangs in the clubhouse at Warwick Road, but he is also attached to the Newcastle Falcons academy and has his sights set on a career in the Guinness Premiership.
Morris won a rugby scholarship to Sedbergh School, where past pupils include former England heroes Will Carling and Will Greenwood, and Carlisle-born Hull rugby league star Ewan Dowes.
He said: “There will be scouts from Premiership clubs there, so it’s important to make a good impression. But the most important thing is to focus on the task of playing Australia and make sure we win. I’ll play my heart out and give them no reason not to select me for the Six Nations tournament in February.
“A good performance against Australia means I will probably be picked.”
England are unbeaten at under-18 level for two seasons, and the coaching staff led by John Fletcher has been developing Morris and his team-mates in games against academy sides from the South West, London & South-East, North and Midlands.
Source:timesandstar.co.uk
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Nathan, 16, earns call-up for England rugby under-18s
CARLISLE rugby union starlet Nathan Morris has won an England under-18 call-up to face the touring Australian schools this month.
The 16-year-old hooker has been named in the 23-man Conference squad even though he is a year younger than his rivals for the No2 shirt.
England under-18s will host the young Aussie side on December 13 in Sale, Greater Manchester.
Morris sealed his place in the squad with an impressive display in England’s recent 41-10 victory over the North Academies at Leeds University.
Another good performance will almost certainly see him keep his place for a Six Nations tournament in February.
He said: “I can’t wait for the game and I’ve been walking round with a big smile on my face. It’s a great honour to be selected and I can’t wait to get out there.
“I thought my selection was up in the air but I must have made a decent impression during the trial match.
“I thought I was fourth in the pecking order for hooker, and I just got my head down and put down the best marker I could.
“I had a good week of training with the squad, which probably also contributed to me being selected. It will be a very good fixture and we have a strong team. We can definitely win with the right mentality as we have the talent in the team.”
Morris, from Cargo, rose through the ranks at Carlisle Rugby Club and has played for their Colts’ side this season.
One of his England shirts hangs in the clubhouse at Warwick Road, but he is also attached to the Newcastle Falcons academy and has his sights set on a career in the Guinness Premiership.
Morris won a rugby scholarship to Sedbergh School, where past pupils include former England heroes Will Carling and Will Greenwood, and Carlisle-born Hull rugby league star Ewan Dowes.
He said: “There will be scouts from Premiership clubs there, so it’s important to make a good impression. But the most important thing is to focus on the task of playing Australia and make sure we win. I’ll play my heart out and give them no reason not to select me for the Six Nations tournament in February.
“A good performance against Australia means I will probably be picked.”
England are unbeaten at under-18 level for two seasons, and the coaching staff led by John Fletcher has been developing Morris and his team-mates in games against academy sides from the South West, London & South-East, North and Midlands.
Source:timesandstar.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment