Teenager Chris Hogg will fly the flag for York City, the Third Division and England in a prestigious international tournament next week.

Central defender Hogg has been named in the 18-man England Under-15 squad that will compete in the annual Montaigu International tournament in France.

The Middlesbrough-born teenager is the only player from a Third Division club and one of only two from outside the Premiership or First Division named by coach Steve Rutter.

Hogg's inclusion should come as no surprise, however.

In February he captained England Under-15s in an international tournament with Holland, Germany and Spain.

The centre-back is also skipper of City Under-16s, played in the intermediates' narrow FA Youth Cup fourth round defeat at Wolves and had trials with Manchester United last year.

He is one of six players offered three-year scholarships by City for next season.

"This tournament is a really good opportunity for the young players to gain international experience," said Rutter.

"We are really looking forward to going to France and playing against such good opposition."

England have been drawn in a group featuring the Czech Republic, Peru and Morocco.

In the second group are France, Portugal, Cameroon and Japan.

England will tackle the Czech Republic on April 11 in Mortagne, Peru on April 12 in Mouilleron Le Captif and Morocco on April 14 in Bretignolles Sur Mer.

The winners of each group will meet in the final on April 15.

The remaining teams will also play each other to determine the final overall positions.

England have a good record in the annual tournament.

Last year, having beaten Argentina, Burkina Faso and France in the group stages, England went on to the final where they beat Italy on penalties.

England under-15 squad: Ross Turnball (Middlesbrough), Steven Drench (Blackburn Rovers), David Raven (Liverpool), Stuart Bridges (Aston Villa), Matthew Sadler (Birmingham City), Chris Hogg (York City), James Biggins (Nottingham Forest), Tom Groves (Nottingham Forest), Lee Croft (Manchester City), Ross Gardner (Newcastle United), Neale McDermott (Newcastle United), Shane Tolley (Peterborough United), Stacy Long (Charlton), Dorryl Proffitt (Manchester City), Adam Oldham (Barnsley), Dorian Small (Arsenal), Michael Malcolm (Tottenham Hotspur), Sean Doherty (Everton).

Updated: 09:32 Thursday, April 05, 2001