Marcus makes England under-16 rugby team (From Messenger Newspapers)

Manchester Grammar School pupil sets his sights on reaching the top in rugby

11:00am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in Sport

ALTRINCHAM schoolboy Marcus Webber has been selected for the England Under-16 rugby team.

Cousin of Portsmouth striker Danny Webber, this representative honour validates Marcus' early decision to choose rugby ahead of football.

The Manchester Grammar School (MGS) pupil, 16, from Hale Road, said: "At the age of 11 when I first came to MGS I had to pick either football or rugby. Though I love playing football with my mates and still enjoy a kick around, rugby was always going to be my first choice."

Marcus can play anywhere along the back line but has been selected as both a centre and a full back. He said: "It will be interesting to know which position the national coaches feel I should play."

Even though he is three years younger than his schoolmates in the MGS first XV, Marcus has scored 15 tries this season and been a major influence in the school reaching the quarter-final of the Daily Mail National School's Cup, only going out as the home side in a 10 - 10 against Welbeck College.

He trains four times a week, is a member of the Leeds Carnegie Academy and intends to make his way in the professional game.

"I want to go to one of the country's top universities, but at the same time I want to pursue my rugby career and simply go as far in the game as I possibly can."

To achieve his dreams, Marcus realises he will have to be fully committed.

He said: "Never mind talent - a lot of players have that. I feel that commitment to training and a desire to be as fit as possible are the most important attributes at this age."

Head of rugby at MGS, Steve Swindells, said: "Marcus was noticed as a major talent from his first training session in the U12s as he picked up a loose ball, side stepped about four different defenders and then showed a blistering turn of speed to run the length of the field to score.

"He has a natural ability and gift for the game, good hands, tremendous upper body strength, and explosive power and speed. He has always been a team player though and never tries to steal the headlines.

"He has benefited from travelling to Leeds Carnegie to train and play for their academy over the past two years and has received the very best advice and support to enable him to be successful.

"An England call at U16 level is a fantastic achievement and I am sure that if he continues to train hard and listen to all the advice on offer he will succeed in his desire to reach the very top."