ST PETER'S School back-row star Thomas Woolsey is on top of the world after he was finally selected for the England Under-16s set-up.

Woolsey (pictured), who came through the trials with glowing recommendations despite playing in his less accustomed blindside role, had faced an anxious wait to see whether he would be named in the U16s or U16s 'A' side for the spring internationals.

However, the West Gilling youngster, a star of the triumphant Daily Mail Schools' Rugby U15s Cup squad last year, need not have worried, with him included in the first team equivalent of the two sides.

But, Woolsey, who is studying for his 'A'-levels a year early, has not sat back and waited to hear which squad he would be named in, with the determined pupil putting his head down and working on maintaining his fitness levels.

Director of sport at St Peter's, Mike Johnson, told Scrum Down: "It is brilliant news.

"Thomas was very pleased when he heard as he has worked so hard, especially on his fitness.

"His determination and self-discipline has been superb. He was given a fitness pamphlet and he has followed it to the letter."

Woolsey, who becomes the first pupil at the school since Newcastle Falcons second row Andrew Springgay to make it into an England side, will now prepare for the first of three games on April 15.

The U16s will face Wales at Barnstable on April 15, before entertain Italy at Devon Port Services and travel to Neath for the return fixture against the Welsh.

While Woolsey is in the England side, fellow team-mate Mark Jagger has been promoted to the England North U16s side in a double success for the school.

ST PETER'S Daily Mail Schools' Rugby U15s Cup winning side was partly reformed on the nationals sevens stage and only just missed out on another historic success.

A ten-man team, made up of Alistair MacLeod, Michael Morris, Ollie Butler, Rory Robertson, Charlie Parry, James Pang, Ben Hough, Peter Wackett, Michael Miller and Mark Jagger, produced a brilliant run of results in the Rosslyn Park National Schools' Sevens Tournament, sponsored by the Army.

A run of five victories, including memorable wins over Stonyhurst and St Edward's College Oxford - a side that had not lost for three years - took them into the semi-finals, where they were toppled by the eventual winners from Wales.

THE Rees household in Millington were set to pick up a Welsh representative honour last night - more than 30 years after they first tried.

Sam Rees, the captain of the Swansea University side, was called on to the bench for last night's Welsh Students versus France Students clash.

And the call up comes three decades after Sam's father Gareth, the principle of Askham Bryan College, was injured while attempting to earn his own Welsh honour.

Neath-born Rees senior was called up to the Wales Under-15s trials as a schoolboy only for an early injury in the training match to rule him out.

He told the Evening Press: "I had trials at Under-15s when I broke my finger. I had it stamped on after only four or so minutes and that was it."

However, despite his disappointment at missing out on representing his country, Rees senior has 'infected' his English-born sons with his Welshness and little can hid his pride for Sam's achievements.

"He has captained the Hampshire side up to U20s before we moved up here, is the captain of Swansea University and plays league rugby in Wales with Varde," added Rees.

"They are a third division side, but there is no doubt Sam could play at a better level. He could play in the first division or even the Welsh Premiership, but with him captaining the University side he decided to stay in the third division with Varde.

"He is a scrum-half normally, but he can play in any position in the backs. He has played 10 for club and university, while the only position he is not entirely happy playing is on the wing as he fills he hasn't got that pace required.

"He is down for Wales as scrum-half, but his versatility means he is also general back cover. He is a bit like Austin Healey for England."

Ironically, 21-year-old Sam was only denied a place in the starting line-up in the Welsh side last night by the brother of England full-back Josh Lewsey.

Meanwhile, Sam's younger brother Ben, also a scrum-half, is looking to follow in the family trade.

Seventeen-year-old Ben, who is a member of the Pocklington junior set-up, is hoping to go to Swansea University and break into the Wales squads.

YORKSHIRE Under-20s have earned the county £2,500 after qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Tetley's National Championship.

The White Rose youngsters, who include a sextet of the area's top players, will travel to face East Midlands in the quarter-finals on the weekend of April 12, with a further £2,000 in prize money awaiting the semi-finalists.

Should Yorkshire go all the way to Twickenham, they will receive another £4,500 to boost the county coffers.

Yorkshire have enjoyed wins over Cumbria (37-10), Northumberland (17-12), Lancashire (18-3) and Cheshire (18-10) on their way to qualification.

The side includes Pock trio Matt Webber, Richard Booth and Henry Mitchell, former St Peter's pupil Richard Pike, Harrogate's Richard Davies and ex Joseph Rowntree flanker Matt Stockdale.

Updated: 12:00 Saturday, March 29, 2003