A TEENAGE rugby player is back on top form and has playing for England in his sights despite breaking his leg in the game.

Dan Walker, 17, has always played rugby for Bicester, following in the footsteps of his father Martin.

But with the new year a new challenge has been set as Dan, who plays outside centre, has been chosen as a top regional player and now has ambitions to rise to national level.

Dan, an apprentice with Seychell Engineering in Oxford, thought he might never play the sport again, after breaking his leg in the first match of the 2012 season, let alone have the chance to try out for his country.

Dan, who lives in Fallowfields, Bicester, said the accident happened as he went to tackle a Witney player.

He said: “As I turned towards them my foot got stuck in a divot in the ground and my leg pretty much stayed where it was as I turned.

“At the time I was so upset that I could not play and didn’t like the time off, not going out to play the game I enjoy. I thought my chances were completely over.”

He had to spend about nine weeks with his leg in plaster, and a year out of the game at what he said was a prime time to make it further in the sport.

Now Dan is playing as the Bicester Colts captain and for Oxfordshire County Under-18s, training once a week on the field and three times a week in the gym.

He has also qualified to play for the SW regional division after a selection process where about 350 hopefuls were whittled down to the final squad of 23.

His next three games are vitally important and will determine whether he will be selected to play for his country.

He said: “I am obviously really chuffed and it is exciting to see where things are going.

“I have put a lot of work in for it and it is finally paying off.

“Ever since playing sport I have wanted to do the best I can and not got anywhere until now, I am really proud.

“I am trying to just think about the next game but obviously the chance to play in that England shirt. It is weird thinking about it but ultimately that is my next goal.”

Dad Martin said: “ When Dan broke his leg it really threw him. He had to have a full year off and did not play at all, but he came back stronger than ever.”