WESTONZOYLAND rugby prospect Harry Hodge has been accepted into the Bristol Bears Under-17s squad for the new season, which is fast approaching.

Only 30 players have been selected from the 600 who competed for spaces across Bristol and Somerset, and Hodge will represent Bristol Bears Under-17s and Somerset's county side as part of a two-year programme which will ensure the lads progress into the Under-18s.

Hodge, who attends Chilton Trinity School, is currently plying his trade within the Colts section at Taunton Rugby Club and last summer saw him represent Bristol Bears Under-16s at the Portugal International tournament where he was sponsored to go by Refresco.

Hodge, who has been playing rugby since he was 10, is humbled by his selection and hopes to take his rugby as far as he can.

Both parents, Pete and Karen, are extremely proud of their son's achievements and want to support him throughout.

Neptune-House Learning Manager Jake Caulfield said: “We are so pleased that Harry is getting rewarded for his hard work on and off the pitch.

"He is great in the scrum and dynamite in the loose.

"We wish Harry the best of luck as he moves on in September and it will be a pleasure to say we have worked with him as his career progresses.

"Harry’s next steps are to focus on securing his GCSEs and continuing to work hard on his physical development in the summer and to continue to study the game."