HE’S had his first taste of the international football world – now Matthew Tasker is hoping for more as he prepares to represent his country against the pluck of the Irish.

The 17-year-old York defender experienced the proudest moment of his fledgling footballing career when he donned the three lions to appear for the England Under-18 Schoolboys side which took on Wales in the Carnegie Centenary Shield earlier this month.

All Saints RC School sixth-form pupil Matthew, from Heworth, came on as a second-half substitute at right-back and acquitted himself admirably as England cruised to a 3-0 win at Boston United’s Staffsmart Stadium.

Now, as one of only two northerners in the 18-strong squad, he is aiming to fly the flag for Yorkshire tonight when the Shield clicks back into gear and England take on Northern Ireland at Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose home – and possibly earn his first start in an England jersey.

The face-off against the Irish will be followed by further matches next month against Scotland at New St Mirren Park and the Republic of Ireland at Waterford FC, before a mouthwatering Wembley international against France on the eve of Matthew’s 18th birthday.