CHRISTIAN Edwards, who plays as a back-row forward for the Malvern RFC Under 17 'Stags', has been selected to play for the North Midlands Under 17 (Clubs) Group.

The sixth form student at The Chase received the news of his selection to this elite squad on Monday and he is now looking forward to being part of the representative side that will play Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Notts, Lincs & Derby and Cheshire over the next few months.

Getting selected for the North Midlands U17 squad is fine personal achievement for Christian, who began his rugby career as a winger in the Chase Year 7 'B' team. He joined Malvern RFC as an under 13 player and was immediately switched from wing to flanker on account of his high work rate, his superb fitness and his ability to tackle.

Despite being overlooked by the North Midlands selectors for the last three years, Christian refused to give-up any hope of achieving representative honours and he continued to work at his game under the guidance of Mark Tovey and Mike Fray, despite the lead up to GCSE exams and A-level mocks.

Gary Tolley, chairman of the youth rugby at Malvern, said: "Christian more than most deserves the honour of playing for the North Midlands and I am delighted that after years of perseverance, he has finally achieved his goal.

"We may not have the membership or resources of many of the professional clubs in the Midlands, but every once in a while Malvern RFC can produce a 'diamond from the rough'.

"As long as we continue to put the development of young rugby players ahead of cups and trophies, then there will be many more individuals who will achieve representative honours at a regional level and beyond".

Christian will make his North Mids debut against Staffordshire at Tamworth on Sunday, February 10, and conclude with a representative match against Cheshire at Ledbury RFC on April 14.