A young rugby union player from Ryton has received international recognition just a year after taking up the sport.

Katie Raines has been playing in Malton and Norton's senior ladies team this season despite being just 16 years old.

Utility back Katie, a pupil at Malton School, and team-mate Claire Wright recently attended a trial match for the Barbarians.

Katie made such an impression that she ended up being selected for the England Ladies Under-18s development squad, although sadly Claire missed out.

Although they do not have any international matches in the pipeline, the squad will attend training camps over the summer.

It is intended that the development squad will prepare players for international rugby in the future.

Updated: 12:28 Tuesday, May 22, 2001