A NORTH Hampshire teenager is enjoying life as an international rugby player after being called up to play for England Colleges.

Jack Parsons who is 18 and lives in Bishopswood Road, Tadley, has played five matches for England Colleges over the last month, starting every game apart from one at inside centre.

The squad travelled to Portugal to play their national under-18 team, winning both meetings between the sides. They then took on Ireland Colleges, losing by a single point, before suffering further defeats at the hands of Leicester Tigers and Wales.

They have one game remaining, a re-match against Wales early next month, and Parsons says the whole experience has been one he will never forget.

“I have loved every minute of my time with the squad,” the Queen Mary’s College student said. “It has been amazing.

“I was obviously really happy when I got the call and it felt even better every time I walked out and heard the national anthem played. It has been an amazing experience and I am really happy with the way I have played.

Parsons began playing rugby at Aldermaston RFC but now plays for Reading Abbey. He represented Hampshire under-20s in this year’s county championship and plans to continue playing when he goes to university later this year.

“Rugby is just a hobby that is going really well at the moment,” he said. “I will continue to play as long as I still enjoy it, see where that takes me and try to go as far as I can in the game.”