TALENTED youngster Finn Riddell has been selected to play for the under 11s' National Independent Schools' Rugby Squad, touring with a squad of just 16 of the country’s finest young players.

Riddell, aged ten, is a pupil at Mowden School. He was originally picked to play for the North of England prep schools but has now been named as one of the team members for The Lambs Independent Schools RFC who will have already been on tour, playing in Dublin.

Paul Hill coaches Riddell at Mowden School. He said: “He is an outstanding young sportsman at our school, he is hot, and he is quick and very powerful. He’s good enough to play at the very top but it’s hard to say if he will, it depends on the person at the end of the day.”

The prep schools are separated into four sections, the north, the midlands, south east and south west and from these sides only 16 players are selected to play at national level.

“He’s been very cool about it actually, I mean he’s pleased obviously, but on the whole he’s stayed very cool. His parents are very pleased, and very impressed as are we, when you think they only pick 16 players,” Hill added.

The independent Schools RFC was set up to promote traditional rugby values, and to teach youngsters to play unreserved ‘head up’ running rugby in a fast and expansive style.

Despite pupils from Mowden School being selected to play for the North of England in the past, Riddell is the first pupil to be selected for the National Independent Schools Rugby squad.

Founded in 2006, The Lambs was founded to create openings for young rugby players to showcase their ability at a representative level when they have not had the chance to do so due to a lack of selection opportunities or other commitments.

The Lambs' aim is to move away from over-prescriptive, boot-led rugby. It attempts to give players the opportunity to play ‘Fast and Free’ according to their website.