Andrew's a prop idol!

For the 15-year-old has established himself in a very strong Lancashire Rugby Union squad -- despite not playing the game at St Theodore's High School.

While the school has teams at under 13s and under 14s level, it currently does not have an under 16s team.

So it is a credit to Andrew who has played rugby for the past four years.

The Year 11 pupil has shown great determination to break in to the squad which is traditionally dominated by players from famous Rugby Union schools such as Stonyhurst College and Lancaster Grammar.

Andrew, who is also head prefect at the Burnley school, played for Lancashire at under 15s level last year and, with the under 16s, has played against Gloucestershire and Durham so far this season.

Tony Finnan, who coaches the school's under 13s and under 14s rugby teams said: "Andrew is a very good player and you only have to look at the sort of players he is playing with at county level to see that.

"The county side is made up from within the old Lancashire boundaries and includes Merseyside and Manchester. He is a credit to the school and we are very proud of his achievements."

Andrew is now pushing for a place in the North of England squad when trials take place in the New Year.

Despite his obvious talents, Mr Finnan said it is far too early to say how good Andrew can be. He added: "The position of prop is something you don't really mature in to until you are in your mid-twenties so Andrew has plenty of time on his side."

Andrew plays for Burnley RUFC where Tony is also a member.

He said: "He trains and plays at Burnley but you have to praise his determination to get in to the county squad because he has largely done it on his own."

Tony says England's World Cup victory has helped bolster the profile of Rugby Union with more pupils showing an interest in the sport.

"We have a rotating games option and when it comes to rugby there are definitely more pupils playing the game."