CHRIS MEEHAN has been selected as the North of England rugby union fly half in the clubs' 18-year-old representative XV.

Chris, who plays with Keighley Rugby Union Club and South Craven School has made the team even though his is still 17 years of age.

Earlier this week he travelled to the RFU national training centre at near Wolverhampton to prepare for the English divisional festival which starts today with the North of England playing the South West.

Further matches follow over the weekend against either the Midlands or South East to decide the English divisional championship.

The competition will also act as a final showpiece before the England squad is chosen for the home nations championships when they will take on Ireland, Scotland and Wales during April.

Chris is philosophical about his chances of making the full England squad. "We are down to just a few looking for an England shirt and back in September I didn't think I would get this far, but I have as good a chance as anyone else."

He is already a member of the England Rugby Union development squad at 17-year-old level and his selection for the North of England crowns a very successful period in his sporting career. He has captained Yorkshire clubs 16-year-old team and was selected for Yorkshire 18s when he was still 16 years of age.