WHAT would be your idea of a dream start to an international rugby career?

How about scoring your debut points with the first touch you have of the ball?

That's exactly what happened for Steven Hanley, a second year sports science student at the University of Central Lancashire, who made his debut on the international stage playing for England during their defeat at the hands of Wales in the Five Nations championships at Wembley.

Before the game, the young winger said he had high hopes for his international career.

The 19-year-old, originally from Cumbrian club Aspatria, is now a regular at Sale, having scored 16 tries in 13 starts.

His arrival in the team came about after team-mate David Rees sustained an ankle injury against France.

He said: "Union has always been my sport. I hope to be able to prove what I can do on the international stage.

"Every morning I wake up and find it hard to believe this is happening to me."

England's assistant coach, John Mitchell, said: "When Steve first arrived at Sale, I remember this big lad with an even bigger smile all over his face who was blessed with natural pace.

"He has got a great personality too and is not inhibited by anything."

A spokesman for the university's sports science course said: "We are delighted for Steve.

"It is great to have someone from the first cohort of the degree doing well.

"With any luck he will use some of sports science knowledge to help him enhance his own performance."

Steve is in good company at the UCLa - Bill Beaumont and Ellerey Hanley are two of the university's honorary fellows.

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