A SCHOOLBOY rugby player has learnt he will not be released from international duty to help his school mates in a prestigious cup final at Twickenham.

Mathew Tait, of Barnard Castle School in County Durham, had hoped he would be able to fly back from the under-19 world championships in South Africa to help the school in the final of the Daily Mail Cup next month.

However, he has been told by England coaches this will not be possible.

Mathew scored a decisive try in the semi-finals to book the school's place in the final. However, this clashes with the tournament in Durban.

Martin Pepper, the school's rugby master, said: "It's a big loss for the school but also for him as well - obviously he's disappointed.

"He's in his final year and these are the people he's been playing with since he was 11-years-old and it's a second chance at winning the cup. However, the England coaches don't feel it's in his best interests for him to go."

Barnard Castle narrowly lost in the final to Oakham School last year. This year they will play Colston's Collegiate on Saturday, April 3.