A SCHOOLGIRL rugby player has been selected to attend a trial to play for England.

Abby Blackburn, 15, is a member of Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club's U16 Girls' Team.

She will be travelling to Loughborough University at the end of July to take part in the annual England Youth Performance Camp.

Girls from all over the country will undergo three days of intensive training, with the possibility of being chosen to join the U18 England women's squad.

Abby was selected after representing the North-East in the National 10s in Lichfield and competing in the Commonwealth Games Test Event in Manchester.

She said: "I'm overwhelmed by it all but am very proud to have been given this chance. Even if I don't get any further, it is something I will always remember.

"Everyone at Mowden Park has been great and I owe a lot to the various coaches who have helped me, both at the club and with the North-East girls' squad."

Abby, a pupil at Hummersknott Language College, also enjoys hockey, tennis, swimming and athletics, and plays the flute.