By Amanda Little

Last updated 12:23, Wednesday, 03 December 2008

Matthew Shields is dreaming of an international rugby union career – just like his prop idol George Graham.

Matthew Shields

Shields, 17, has taken his first step towards his dream of representing England schools under-18s after being selected for the North.

The 6ft 4in, 16-stone prop will represent the North in a series of trial matches against the South-East, South-West and the Midlands on December 13 and 14 and hopes he will impress selectors who will pick the England schools under-18 squad.

Shields, from Wetheral, came through the ranks at Carlisle rugby club but is now with Newcastle Falcons’ junior academy.

He counts former Falcons and Scotland prop George Graham, who once starred as a rugby league player with Carlisle Border Raiders, as his hero.

He has even had some coaching from Graham, who is Scotland’s forwards coach and one of Frank Hadden’s right-hand men, as the Scotsman’s son George junior plays for Carlisle rugby club.

Shields said: “I would love to be a professional rugby player and George Graham is my role model because he played for Newcastle Falcons and was also an international. To achieve what he did would be brilliant. I know him quite well as he did some coaching with me at Carlisle. He’s a great guy as well.

“He was an all-round good player. He was a strong scrummager, who can carry the ball and is a traditional prop.”

Shields quit Brampton’s William Howard School to join Sedbergh – a school with a strong rugby tradition which produced former England captains Will Carling and Will Greenwood.

The sixth-former is one of two Cumbrians picked for the North, along with Penrith’s Will Addison. He said: “It’s great being at Sedbergh because rugby is a traditional part of the school and there is a lot to live up to.

“There were 50 lads from Cumbria who went for North of England trials in Leeds, and it was great to make it through.

“We have another development weekend coming up when four more people will drop out and then we play in matches to select the England under-18 squad.

“I would love to make the England team. It’s something I’m aiming for as I would love to be a professional rugby player.”

ALittle@cngroup.co.uk