YORK Acorn ace Johnny Waldron has spoken of his delight after being selected for BARLA Great Britain Under-21s.

The speedster, who plays scrum-half or winger, was given the nod after impressing for Yorkshire in the amateur county matches late last year and previously for Yorkshire Under-23s.

Nevertheless, the call-up still came as something of a shock. He told the Evening Press: "I'd gone to training (at Acorn) and people were telling me 'well done,' and I was saying, 'what are you on about?'.

"I didn't know anything about it but they'd sent the letter to the club before they sent one to me.

"It was a surprise. I was in the Yorkshire open age squad and I knew someone had put me forward for Great Britain U21s but I hadn't heard anything back and thought it had passed me by."

The 23-man GB U21s squad had their first training session over in Leigh last night. Waldron added: "It's a bit of trouble getting there but it's definitely worth it."

The team face Scotland Students on April 28 before taking on the Navy, Army and RAF for the Scottish Courage Cup.

Updated: 10:17 Thursday, April 15, 2004