AS SOON as the whistle blows at the New Den this afternoon, the adventure really begins for Clarets midfielder Richard Chaplow.

The teenager will instantly link up with Dick Bate and the England Under 19 squad for Tuesday's friendly against Holland at VVOG Harderwijk.

It caps a truly meteoric rise in prominence for Chaplow, who only last year was still a scholar at Turf Moor.

Now, with only 24 first team starts under his belt, his international education is about to get under way.

Hopefully, Chaplow will be promoted from the initial 18-man squad to the starting 11, in turn becoming the first Burnley player to represent England at any level since Andy Kilner 20 years ago.

But even if his steep learning curve continues from the bench, it is still worth documenting Chaplow's amazing last 12 months.

The Accrington-born youngster was drafted into Stan Ternent's side as Burnley's season drifted to a sorry end, first making a surprise substitute's appearance at Norwich.

Another two cameo roles followed before Ternent finally threw off the shackles and thrust the 18-year-old into the spotlight on Easter Monday at Nottingham Forest.

Last summer's Turf Moor clear-out dramatically increased Chaplow's chances of retaining a first team place - and it is an opportunity the 19-year-old has grabbed with both hands.

A first senior goal arrived in the 1-0 August home won over Crewe, soon followed by further Turf Moor strikes against Cardiff and Reading.

But the biggest boost came with the signing of his first professional contract in September, a three-year deal that provides security in an uncertain era, but also protects one of Burnley's biggest assets.

Fearless in the tackle, aggressive on the ball and with a youthful exuberance rarely seen in a Burnley shirt in recent times, the time has now arrived for Chaplow to take the next giant leap.

Head coach Dick Bate is meticulously finalising his options as he gears up for England's UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifiers against Slovenia, Denmark and the Ukraine in April.

Should England top their qualifying group in Slovenia, following next week's friendly against Holland and another upcoming game against Germany, they would qualify for the Championship Finals to be held in Switzerland in July.

Many of Bate's 18-man squad heading to the Netherlands have, like Chaplow, gained vital first team experience at their relevant clubs since progressing from either Academies of Centres of Excellence.

The likes of Leeds' James Milner, Arsenal protege Neil Kilkenny, Derby duo Lee Holmes and Tom Huddlestone and Crystal Palace wide man Wayne Routledge will doubtless have their sights set on the summer tournament.

If Chaplow can impress the England management team next week, he might well need to put his own holiday plans on hold.

England U19 Squad (v Holland): Gary Borrowdale (Crystal Palace), Dean Bowditch (Ipswich Town), Scott Brown (Everton), Richard Chaplow (Burnley), Pat Collins (Sunderland), Ross Gardner (Nottingham Forest), Ian Henderson (Norwich City), Lee Holmes (Derby County), Tom Huddlestone (Derby County), Philip Ifil (Tottenham Hotspur), Billy Jones (Crewe Alexandra), Neil Kilkenny (Arsenal), James Milner (Leeds United), David Raven (Liverpool, Wayne Routledge (Crystal Palace), Osei Sankofa (Charlton Athletic), Ross Turnbull (Middlesbrough), Jamie Young (Reading)