Former Workington Zebras hooker Jamie Blamire has admitted that he was a bit surprised to receive a call-up to England rugby union's under-20s elite squad, but says he'll grab the chance with both hands.

The 18-year-old, who is now with Newcastle Falcons, is one of 32 players who have made the cut for the 2016/17 squad.

Players who get called up have a chance of representing England in next year's Six Nations and World Championship in Georgia.

The Six Nations will take place early next year and the World Championship will be held in May and June 2017.

England will defend their title at the World Championship and will face Australia, Wales and Samoa in the pool stage.

Jamie, who is from Workington, has a dual registration with Falcons and Tynedale and has been representing the latter this autumn in the National League 2 North.

He has also represented England at under-16 and under-18 level and was once on the books of Gosforth Academy.

He said: "I'm very pleased. I've played with the under-18s and this will be a different experience to anything I've ever done before.

"I'm looking forward to playing with the under-20s. I'm really pleased to be able to make the step up.

"It's good that they trust me to do it and I'm excited about the opportunity."

Jamie joined the Falcons' senior academy in March and signed his first senior academy deal with them earlier this month.

The 32-strong England squad have met up for the first time and have been training at Loughborough University.

Jamie added: "Playing in the Six Nations and World Championships would be one of the biggest achievements of my career.

"It all happened quite fast. I've been full-time at Falcons this year and I hadn't really heard anything about being picked.

"But then the under-20s coach phoned me to say I was in the squad."

The England squad features 10 players who have already been capped at under-20 level.