Pocklington School 1st XV rugby captain Alex Todd has been selected to represent the North of England as part of the Under 18s team in the England Rugby Divisional Festival later this month.

Alex, who is in the Upper Sixth, also plays for Pocklington RUFC and Yorkshire Carnegie Academy. He is the fifth generation of his family to play rugby for both town and school - and his grandfather, Geoff, also gained representative honours, playing in the second row for Yorkshire Schools against Wales in 1950.

Pocklington School's Director of Rugby, Richard Wareham, said: "We are very proud of Alex. He has continued to work hard at his developmental areas and the dividends are here for all to see. It is a great reflection on him, his team mates and the staff who have supported him."

After impressing in his three recent games for Yorkshire U18s, Alex, a back row forward, was one of 46 players from across the north who were invited to trials at Bradford last month. He was then selected for the 23-man North squad that will play against London & South East in the Divisional Festival at Stourbridge on 22-24 February.

The Divisional Festival brings together the top players from the North, Midlands, South West and London & South East and is used by England Rugby selectors to pick the England Counties Under 18s team. 

Alex, from Millington, started out as a mini rugby player with Pocklington RUFC Under 7s, and has played at every level for the club, making his first team debut earlier this season. He was called up to the U18 Academy squad of Yorkshire Carnegie, one of Rugby Union’s top northern clubs, a year ago. Its players are regarded as the best in the country and some have already made their Aviva Premiership debuts.