AN Okehampton teenager will represent England at a prestigious international rugby tournament in Japan later this month.

Calum Pillivant, aged 17, will represent his country as part of the Hartpury College team taking part in this year's Sanix World Rugby Youth Invi-tational Tournament.

The tournament is an international rugby union tournament for 15-a-side teams held every year during the 'Golden Week' holidays in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Participation is by invitation only, and overseas schools selected by their representative unions to represent their country are generally expected to be of a high standard and among the top five in their country.

Calum has been playing rugby ever since he was 9 years-old. He plays blind side flanker.

Calum said: 'I am buzzing, I can't wait to go. It will be a real honour to play at the tournament and represent my country. Getting to play for your country in the sport you love, it doesn't get any better than that really.'

The event is hosted by the Japan Rugby Football Union, and supported by the Sanix Sports Foundation and a number of other bodies. Matches are played in the Global Arena in Munakata.

Eight Japanese teams from schools in Tokyo, Osaka, Ibaraki, Nanasaki, Saga, Fukuoka and Nara are taking part along teams from Australia, Canada, France, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and South Africa.

The South West has already built up a particular pedigree in the tournament. Truro College has finished second twice in the last three tournaments, while Ivybridge Community College came second in 2011.

Calum flies to Japan from Britain on April 25. The tournament starts on Sunday, April 28, with each team playing three pool matches before the tournament's knockout stages. The event concludes with the grand final on May 5.