ABBY Blackburn's childhood ambition will come true when she makes her England debut against Wales on Sunday (March 21).

Abby, 17, has been dreaming of this day since she started playing rugby at Darlington Mowden Park at the age of five.

She was selected for the England U-19 women's rugby squad this season and she will play at No 8 against Wales at Taffs Well, Cardiff, in the squad's first game on Sunday.

Abby, who now plays alongside several internationals for premiership women's side Thirsk Sharks as well as for Mowden's U-18 girls, is one of the younger members of the England team and she hopes this will be the beginning of a long international playing career.

"I'm really proud to be representing my country and I am determined to do well against Wales," said Abby, of Brompton Walk, a student at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College.

"I've already got the socks and shorts and can't wait to pull on the famous white shirt!

"Further U-19 England matches are scheduled later in the season, against Canada and the USA, and I want to prove myself worthy of selection for these games."

Although Abby's first international appearance will be in Wales, although she has already graced the hallowed turf of Twickenham.

At the age of seven, she thought she had reached the pinnacle of her career when she played with Mowden Park U-8s at Twickenham in the curtain-raiser to the County Championship final between Durham and Yorkshire.

Abby was inspired by her brother, Oliver, to take up rugby with Mowden Park Minis, playing with the boys.

She had to 'retire' aged 12 as girls weren't allowed to move on to junior rugby, but with the recent development of the girls' game, Abby was able to resume her playing career and for the last three seasons she has been part of the thriving Mowden Park girls' section, playing at county and regional level.

"I owe a lot to Mowden Park, whose coaches gave me the impetus to go on and fulfil my dream of playing for England," said Abby, whose move to Thirsk has given her further motivation and the challenge to push herself as far as she can.

Ken Gee, who coached Abby during her early years at Mowden Park, said: "Abby has always been a special talent and we are proud and thrilled that she has achieved her aim of playing for England.

"She has the skill and commitment to carve out a real name for herself at international level and everyone at Mowden Park will be following her progress with great interest."