A RUGBY-MAD teenager has been called into the Northampton Saints Academy squad after he was picked up following some stand-out out performances for his school and local side.

Emmanuel Iyogun, 15, was spotted by scouts for the Aviva Premier League giants while playing for Southend Rugby Club and will now join up with Northampton’s Elite Player Development Groups.

The Woodlands School pupil is set to play for the Saints under-15 team and play against Saracens at Allianz Park in the Easter holidays as he bids to forge a career in professional rugby.

And Iyogun, who has also represented his county and Basildon Rugby Club, said he is very proud to have been picked.

“It is a very proud moment for me and my family,” said the number 8. “I love rugby and this is a great opportunity for me.

“I was first seen playing for Southend at Colchester and then the scouts watched me the next day when I played at Brentwood School. They have ties with Northampton and they got in touch and invited me for trials.

“I played for the under-15s against Wasps and that was a big step up for me but I played well and I hope to keen impressing.”

Iyogun will continue to show his worth for the next 12 months in the EPDG at Franklins Gardens as he bids to win selection for the club’s youth teams, before potentially trying to win at contract.

The youngster is part of the Woodlands School’s Elite Player Development programme and is the first to be selected by a professional academy.

Jon Bonnett, the school’s head of elite sport and development, said it was “a huge achievement” and praised Iyogun for his dedication to the sport.