Former Telford College student Kai Owen made his first start for the England under 20 rugby team in the final round of the Under 20s Six Nations Championship.
England won the match against Scotland 45-7 at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton, on Friday.
Speaking to the Kidderminster Shuttle on his England call-up, the Worcester Warriors star said: “I received the email and just started jumping around. I was so happy.
“It’s always been my dream to play for England. I rang my family straight away.”
The loosehead prop used to be part of the junior academy set-up at Sixways and played for Warriors under 18s before going to Telford College, where he studied level 3 diploma in sport (outdoor adventure).
On what he has picked up since joining Warriors’ senior academy last summer, Kai told the Shuttle said: “I’ve learnt this year to respect everyone and the surroundings and appreciate everything on the whole.
“I look back and think of how far I have come within a reasonably short time. I believe you can achieve anything if you really work hard and put a smile on your face.
“A year ago today I was just pottering around at different clubs. I was doing labouring work as well.
“I was training in the gym every day too. When I got offered my first professional contract (with Warriors’ academy) it was perfect timing. The amount of help I’ve had from my family has been unreal.”
Kai was among a group of Telford College students who pitted their wits against Mother Nature on an action-packed four-day expedition to Wales last year, as part of his course.
They took part in a host of activities including white water rafting, surfing, mountain biking, tobogganing, caving, gorge walking, coasteering, and axe throwing.
Speaking at the end of that trip, Kai said: “Great teaching and friends have been made. I couldn’t have selected a better course to develop me as a whole person, and not just academically. Memories for a lifetime have been made.”
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