YOUNG hopefuls Lawrence Hughes, Oliver Rose and James Thompson are this weekend bidding to take a step closer to their dreams of playing for England.

Hughes, Rose and Thompson have been picked to go to trials for the England U18 rugby squad in Bristol on Sunday.

The 17-year-olds who are pupils at Dauntsey's School in West Lavington, were first selected for Dorset and Wiltshire and then made it into the South of England divisional squad.

If they stand out in Bristol they could be selected to train with the England Under-18 coaches in Wolverhampton the following weekend.

Head of rugby at Dauntsey's School Marcus Alson said: "To get into the South of England squad is a real achievement.

"They have got through against lads from five counties, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

"They are in two squads now and it is fantastic for them. They are around good players and will play against the South West division this weekend. If they get through that you never know how far they could go."

Alson said that even if the trio do not make it into the England squad they will still have gained some valuable experience. "I think the fact that they have got this far has been great. To get children out of schools sport and to go on another level I think is a fantastic achievement," he added.

"They have done well to get this far and if they can go on another level then fantastic. I think all three of them have got an excellent chance."

He said the chance to play with better quality team-mates and opponents would only do the three lads good.

"If they don't actually get into the England or divisional squads themselves they will have certainly played with players this year that will," Alson continued.

"I think the fly half or some of the other players they have played with will go on to represent England.

"Just having the opportunity to play with and be around those good players they are going to get better themselves."

Hughes, who boards at the school, said: "I got to this level last year so it's good to get to have another go at it this time. I didn't make it then so hopefully I will this time and it will be good to see how far I can go. It definitely helps being one of the older lads this time round and it is a bit of a confidence booster to get this far again."

He knows a lot rides on this weekend but is looking forward to the challenge that awaits him. "We will have to see what happens on Sunday and it's exciting because it is the big ones after that," Hughes added.

"We know some of the people we will be up against. There will be a few lads there from the schools round here and a few lads from the other counties.

"I will see how far this goes and maybe think about playing for a club or do something at university."

Rose, of All Cannings, is attending the trials for the first time.

He said: "Rugby is definitely my favourite sport but I was a little surprised to get this far because I didn't take part in the trials last year.

"It's handy to have Lawrence here because he has done this before and with James as well we can all lend each other support.

"I am hoping to do the best I can and Marcus has told us to try our hardest on the day because we only have one chance and have to make the most of it. I am very nervous to be honest but hopefully I will do well."

Thompson, of Pewsey, is grateful for the help he has received from his coach at Dauntsey's. "I got into Dorset and Wilts a few years ago but I broke my arm so I didn't play and it's good to come back now," he said.

"Marcus says I've got a good chance of making it this weekend and it's good to have him there with us especially as he's a scrum half and I'm a scrum half and he's always training me and giving me advice."

Alson, who will be attending the trials, said: "You have to do the basics very well because if you try and show off or do complicated things it can work against you. If they go and do the basics well they have got a good opportunity because they are three very solid players."