Last updated at 12:38, Tuesday, 20 July 2010

Cumbrian rugby star Nathan Morris scored a try as England under-18s defeated a Namibia Invitation XV 35-10 in the opening match on their tour to South Africa.

Nathan Morris. Photo: Sam Macdonald

The 17-year-old hooker struck with just seconds to go in their game at East London’s Buffalo City Stadium.

Morris, who rose through the ranks at Carlisle Rugby Club and played for their Colts side last season, is part of a 25-strong squad for two Test matches against France and the host nation.

England under-18s face France tonight and South Africa on Friday.

The team stretched their winning international run to 18 games last season, completing a third successive Grand Slam.

Morris’ selection comes after an impressive year, which saw him feature in all of England Under-18s’ six victories even though he is a year younger than most of his team-mates.

He was in the starting line-up for impressive victories over Italy and Scotland and hopes to enhance his reputation with a good performance on next month’s tour, which starts on July 14.

Morris’ England Under-16 international shirt hangs in the clubhouse at Carlisle.

But he is also attached to the Newcastle Falcons academy and has his sights set on a career in the Guinness Premiership.

He won a rugby scholarship to Sedbergh School, where past pupils include former England heroes Will Carling and Will Greenwood, and Carlisle-born Super League star Ewan Dowes who plays for Hull.

First published at 11:24, Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk