A NORTH-EAST student has won a place in the prestigious England British Colleges' under-19s Rugby League squad.

Matthew Barron, from Durham City, battled his way into the side after competing against entrants from 150 colleges across the UK.

The 17-year-old is studying towards a national diploma in sports performance and excellence at Gateshead College Rugby Academy.

He was put forward for the British squad after impressing academy manager Alan Snowdon. Not only was he picked for the England team but he was also asked to join Wales.

Matthew said: "My mother is from Wales so I was eligible to play for both England and Wales, but I decided to join the England team.

"I'm so pleased that I joined Gateshead College, because otherwise I would never have had the opportunity to have been put forward for the trials."

As well as training everyday with Gateshead College as part of its Sport Academy programme,

Matthew also trains four times a week at Gateshead Stadium with the Gateshead Thunder Rugby League team.

"I would love to go on to play professional rugby but if not I would like to work as a PE teacher," he said.

Academy manager Alan Snowdon said: "This is a great achievement for Matthew; he has performed extremely well up against some very talented competition.

"He has a great attitude towards his studies and has put so much effort into training, which has obviously paid off. I'm certain that he has a very successful career ahead of him."