Thurrock's talented young scrum-half Steven Jay has been called up to the England 18 Group Clubs squad.
The 16-year-old student will attend a training session as part of a 28-man squad at Aston University on Friday week.
The squad -- made up of the country's top under-18 talent -- will then be cut to 26 and more training will take place before the first international of the season against Japan on March 15.
Steven won his call-up after impressing for London and South-east Division in the Divisional Championship matches at Wolverhampton.
Thurrock club secretary Mike Stevenson said Steven is the latest in a long line of youth talent to emerge from the Oakfield club.
He said: "We're obviously very pleased, although we were hopeful more than one of our under-17s would make it to be honest!
"But one is better than none and his selection brings yet more glory to the club after Jim Evans, one of our other youngsters, signed with Harlequins a few years back."
Published Thursday, January 9, 2003
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