TWO young rugby players from the region have moved a step closer to earning international honours.

Tavistock lock/back-row forward Theo Cousins and Ivybridge scrum-half Jay Toogood have both been named in the South West of England Under-18 squad.

The 24-player party will play a warm-up match against Gloucester Academy Under-17s on January 28, before facing the London & South East regional side on February 25 at Staines.

The match against London & South East will be watched by England Counties selectors, who will then pick a national squad to go to Ireland on tour over Easter.

Cousins and Toogood were the only two Devon players to make the South West Counties’ squad, despite the county remaining unbeaten this season.

Four players from Cornwall were selected – Jack Old (Wadebridge), Jake Clemson (St Ives), Keane Whitaker (St Austell) and Kyle Bradley (Helston).