A SPORTING student is putting his shirt on other pupils to follow in his successful sporting footsteps.

Billy Smith, 16, a former student at Hassenbrook School in Stanford-le-Hope, recently donated his England rugby shirt to the school.

Assistant headteacher Colin Flynn said: "Billy was successfully chosen to play for the England Under-16 squad in his final year with us at Hassenbrook, so we were pleased to welcome him back to bring us up to date on his progress this year.

"He is currently in his first year of his apprenticeship with Wasps and trains at their West London ground during the week he is also able to play for Thurrock RFC at weekends.

"It is great to see him continuing to enjoy his chosen sport and enjoy success in it and we look forward to him winning further England caps in the future.

"It was very generous of him to donate his England shirt to the school which is now proudly displayed and we are confident it will inspire other students to excel in their sport."