RISING star Ben Murphy admits it is a dream come true to be selected to represent his country.

The 22-year-old, from Halstead, caught the eye in trials and has now been chosen to play for the England University side.

He is set to take part in a sevens tournament later this month and is also looking forward to locking horns with the other home nations next year.

Murphy is studying sports performance and coaching at Essex University and first came to the selectors' attention when playing in a competition in Leeds.

Every university was then allowed to put players forward for England trials.

Forward Murphy got through his first trial and was invited back for a second.

"I'm over the moon to have made it to this stage," said the former Colchester Rugby Club player, who has also played at county and regional level and started out as a colt at Sudbury.

"I've been playing rugby since I was six and always hoped to play at the highest level possible.

"I had an England trial three years ago and when that didn't work out, I thought I might have missed my chance.

"I didn't expect to get another opportunity."

Murphy's first taste of international action will be with the England University side in a tournament in Buckinghamshire on June 23, against other sides from across the UK.

The former student at Coggeshall's Honywood Secondary School also attended Holy Trinity Primary School, in Halstead.