SIX schoolboys from Wrexham have been chosen to represent North East Wales in a national rugby tournament.

Taylor Downes, 29, from Marchwiel, who is the manager of Wrexham Rugby Club under 11's side, said she was proud of the players for making the squad of just 24.

She said: "I'm overwhelmingly proud. They all really worked hard for this and most have been playing for Wrexham rugby club for nearly five years.

"They attended trials in Mold over the course of three weeks along with 54 other talented children from teams across North East Wales.

"In the end the coaches had to narrow it down to just 24 players, and my son Oliver (Whittingham) was also one of the boys selected."

Miss Downes said even though some of the under 11 players didn't make the final squad, everyone associated with the club was proud of their efforts, in what proved to be very gruelling conditions.

She said: "I think I can speak on behalf of everyone at Wrexham Rugby Club and say that they all deserved a place for the sheer amount of effort they put in.

"Those players that have been selected are now setting their sights forward in hopes of being selected to play in the national “DC Thomas Cup” where they will be competing against teams such as Cardiff, Swansea & Llanelli."

The six boys selected are two players from the under 12's Tomos Crewe (Ysgol Yr Hafod) and Luke Sinnot-Davies (Ysgol I.D. Hooson) and four from the under 11's - Aidan Roberts, Charlie Carmichael, Oliver Mitchell (all St Peters) and Oliver Whittingham (Ysgol Deiniol).

The DC Thomas Cup will take place throughout October and November.