The 15-year-old will follow in the studmarks of old boys like Tony Swift, Steve Borthwick and Garth Dew when he makes his debut later this week.

Ben was one of only two Lancashire players in the 26-man England Under-16 squad which flew to France on Tuesday to compete in the annual Four
Nations Tournament.

"I can't wait to get out there – it's a dream come true to play for your country," he said before the party jetted out of Heathrow.

"When I first found out I had been selected I couldn't believe it. It's a fantastic honour."

England open their three-match programme against Wales Under-16s in Bourgoin on Thursday, tackle Italy Under-17s in Vienne on Sunday and round off the tournament by taking on France Under-17s in Lyon next Wednesday.

The squad also includes inside centre Owen Farrell, son of England star Andy Farrell, and fly-half George Ford, whose father Mike is the defence coach for the full England side.

Motivated

Like fellow Lancashire cap Ryan Glynn, of Sedbergh School, Ben was selected for the national squad after representing the North of England in two divisional festivals in January.

The back-row forward from Much Hoole near Preston has been a regular in the county side for the past three seasons and up to last summer was a junior with Preston Grasshoppers.

Lee Waddell, who has coached Ben at Under-14 and Under-15 level, said: "We are all extremely proud of him.

"I believe Ben has the potential to have a really successful career in the game and go on to be a superstar.

"He's an incredibly motivated young man and has been from a very early age. He has the attributes to be a professional rugby player and everyone at the school wishes him all the best.

"Hutton has a fine tradition for producing internationals and Ben is following in the footsteps of some really talented players."

Swift and Borthwick both went on to play for the full England side, with Borthwick captaining his country this season in the Six Nations against Italy.

Dew has represented England at junior levels and is currently at Sale Sharks Academy where Ben hopes to sign a contract on his 16th birthday.

Current Hutton sixth former Daniel Hall also recieved an England call-up at under 16 level last season.