A YOUNG Bovey Tracey sportsman will be part of the first national Prep School Barbarians U11s' rugby union team next month.
Ben Steer, 11, learned on Sunday he had been selected for the prestigious team after a series of gruelling trials.
The wiry fly-half is now set to participate against a Wales representative side in Cardiff.
Ben has also played football for Plymouth Argyle for the last three years and represents Devon in cricket.
'Up until this happened, football was always his number one sport,' said proud mum Paula. 'Now this might have to change.'
The youngster, who used to attend Stover School, now travels by bus each day to Blundell's Prep School, Tiverton, with his older brother Lewis.
The Prep School Barbarians' team was formed last year with the blessing of its parent body – the Barbarian Football Club – an internationally-renowned organisation that played its first matches in 1890.
'Its aim is to provide boys with exciting opportunities in rugby beyond the school playing field,' said Chris Terry, chairman of Prep School Barbarians.
Ben's journey to represent England in Cardiff started in November when he was nominated by his school, along with a few colleagues, to attend a south west trial.
It was eventful for the Bovey Tracey youngster. After a tough tackle on an opponent, Ben complained of considerable back pain. At half-time he was airlifted to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital as a precautionary measure.
He was subsequently given the all-clear and soon learnt that he had done enough in the first period to progress to the next stage, at Harrow School, London.
From there, Ben secured a place in the south of England team to play against northern counterparts at Rugby School, in Warwickshire.
Not only did he score two tries but, as the team's kicker, converted them and several others on the way to his side's victory.
On hearing he had been selected, Mrs Steer said: 'His dad picked him up and threw him around. It's every dad's dream.'
She told the Advertiser she had given her son several pieces of advice for the big game.
She told him: 'Tackle like a demon, be creative and smile and enjoy it.'