WORCESTER'S teenage centre Andrew Higgins was due to meet up with the England U21 squad today ahead of his debut against Ireland on Friday.

And the 18-year-old has revealed he was the last person to know about his promotion from the U19s to the U21s.

His house has no telephone and he has lost his mobile phone so the selectors were unable to contact him over the weekend.

The first he knew about his call up was when he saw his own name on Ceefax on Sunday evening.

"They were trying to get hold of me but couldn't get through so I found out on Ceefax," he said. "I'm down to play at inside centre, not my normal position. But I've played there a little bit before so it shouldn't be a problem.

"My aim at the start of the season was to get in the England U19s and any more was a bonus so I was really pleased to be called up."

Higgins, who was born in London and didn't take up rugby until he was aged 11, soon began to plot a route to the top after getting call-ups to play for his county.

He was spotted by Worcester last season when playing for England Schools against Australia. Sixways' Director of Rugby Les Cusworth opened up talks straight after the game.

The Gold 'n' Blues signed Higgins during the summer and he has been a virtual ever present all season in Worcester's Premiership Two campaign. In 14 starts this season he has scored five tries.

But he now faces a new test against Ireland U21s at Banbury on Friday (7.30pm).

"I don't know a great deal about the Irish but I'm sure they'll be pretty good and we're expecting a tough battle," the teenager added.