DAN James is preparing for his first taste of international rugby overseas after being named in the England Students' 26-man squad to take on teams from France and Italy next month.

The 20-year-old student from Sinton Green, near Worcester, took part in a final selection trial at Castlecroft earlier this month and impressed the England coaches.

Despite the honour of being selected to play for his country, James, who plays hooker for Loughborough University in the BUSA league, is keeping his feet on the ground and plans to finish his degree before committing full-time to rugby.

He said: "It is a big thing for me to break into the England Students' squad and it is good to be recognised at a higher level of rugby.

"I have played for England Universities before, but most of the players in the England Students' squad are contracted to Premiership clubs and train full-time while going to university part-time.

"I still have two years left at Loughborough and I intend to finish my course, but as far as the rugby is concerned I am just going to see what happens and see how far it takes me.

"Obviously, it would be brilliant to be able to play the game professionally."

Providing he makes the 22-man match-day squad, the former Kidderminster Carolians and Worcester player, who is studying construction engineering management, will step onto the hallowed Twickenham turf on February 4 to take on France.

The squad then jet off to Sardinia to play the Italy Under 25s on February 10 before once more doing battle with the French in Lille on March 10.

"If I play in the first game with France, it will be the fifth time I have played at Twickenham, but it is always nice to play at such an impressive stadium -- it gives me a real buzz," James added.

"When we travel to Italy and France, though, it will be the first time I have represented England overseas.

"The conditions will be different to what I am used to and it will be a different style of rugby but it will be a great experience for me."