North Wales Crusaders “A” player, Morgan Johnson, has earned a call-up to the Welsh Students Rugby League team to face Ireland, Scotland and England in this month's Four-Nations competition.

The North Wales Origin and Crusaders “A” halfback from Rhosesmor met up with the Welsh Students squad this week in Pontypridd for a warm-up fixture.

Playing against a Parachute Regiment side, Johnson helped the Welsh students to a hard-fought 22-18 win on the night.

Johnson,17, has been a prominent player in the Crusaders youth section for several years and has progressed to selection for the open age Crusaders “A” team then North Wales Origin at the start of this season.

Playing both codes including his early years at Mold and then Chester, he has also represented Shropshire, RGC North Wales at U15 and U16, North Mids at U18 as well as previously being capped twice for Wales Rugby league at U16.

Last year, he was also selected for the Welsh Dragonhearts open age RL team and only missed out on playing in the Commonwealth games 9-a-side Welsh team due to injury.

His latest call-up starts to cement a new pathway created for North Wales talent to produce both international youth players and also a route into semi and professional rugby with North Wales Crusaders 1st team.

Proud North Wales Origin RL head coach Mark Robinson said: "Morgan has done himself, his family, Origin and the Crusaders Club proud with this involvement and performances with the Wales Students Team.

"To have the opportunity to play for your country at any level is a huge honour and then to play against top class opponents such as England in a prestigious tournament is a big bonus – especially at his young age.“

On his involvement with the squad, Johnson, said: “I was thrilled to be selected and able to represent my country again.

"It’s been a difficult early season for me having missed out on participating in the Commonwealth games rugby tournament due to a significant injury, so it was great the selectors put their faith in me and I have enjoyed every minute of it – despite being battered and bruised after this week’s encounter with the paras! All fantastic experience though”.

The student Four Nations will be held in Wales for the first time since 2012, with fixtures to be played in South Wales between July 16-22.