WORCESTER Warriors prop Matt Mullan will be taking part in the RFU Junior National Academy camp at Bath University, which starts tomorrow.

The Bromsgrove School captain is one of 18 players selected for the camp, ahead of the U19 Six Nations and World Championships next Spring.

Jim Mallinder is assuming control of the national academy after Brian Ashton left the post to become head coach at Bath.

Mallinder said: "It's very exciting to be working with such fine young players and such excellent coaches. The Junior National Academy takes some of the country's best young rugby players out of their club environment, putting them in a new situation with specialist coaches so that they can build lots of physical, technical game understanding and ideas.

"Having, over the past few months, seen them gain the confidence and specialist skills that bring the freedom to make decisions, I am sure that some of these players will one day be running out onto the Twickenham turf with the England team.

"Working in partnership with the Guinness Premiership clubs, we aim to introduce young players to the standards they need to make it to the top of the sport."

Mallinder has already had a chance to run the rule over the youngsters in three previous camps, alongside coaches John Wells, Jon Callard, Dorian West, Nigel Redman, Damian McGrath, Mike Friday and Tosh Askew.

Mullan recently made his first team debut for Warriors, in a Powergen Cup match at Newport.