Newcastle Falcons duo David Wilson and Stuart Mackie, both 19, have been named in the RFU intermediate national academy squad.

Wilson has made four appearances for the Falcons first team from the bench, as well as representing England at Under-21 level.

Mackie represented England this year in the IRB Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.

Like Wilson, Mackie has also been named in the Falcons' senior academy squad. They will train full time with the first team and be in contention for selection.

The RFU intermediate national academy will be based at Bath's Sports Training Village, which boasts two rugby pitches, an Olympic-standard gym, 50m swimming pool, 100m indoor running track, as well as leading video analysis, sports science and medical services.

Falcons academy manager John Fletcher said: "It's a great tribute to David and Stuart.

"It shows that their talent is being recognised, and I'm sure they'll both keep their heads down and continue the good work which has got them this far."

Last week saw fellow Falcons player Mathew Tait named in the RFU senior national academy squad, while Phil Dowson is in the Sevens group, and Jonny Wilkinson and Jamie Noon are in the senior elite player squad.

The Falcons will take part in the London Pride Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham on August 14.

* England will stay ahead of the rest of the rugby world following the introduction of an ambitious Rugby Football Union three-tier national academy system.

Former Bath, England and Ireland coach Brian Ashton will be at the helm of the junior and the new intermediate national academy whose players will feed into England head coach Clive Woodward's senior squad.

Ashton will have the help of seven full-time coaches, including World Cup winner Dorian West and a team of physios and medics.

Ashton is confident he will supply Woodward with tomorrow's future world champions.

''The national academies are vital in developing future England internationals and we are already seeing the benefits with so many young players coming to the forefront of the game,'' said Ashton.

''Winning the World Cup was a fantastic achievement but we need to build for the future.

''The object of the intermediate academy is to keep developing players who may be too old to compete in the under-19 and under-21.