Will Matthews, the young Gloucester forward, is one of the 20 players chosen to be a part of the RFU's first Intermediate National Academy.
The 20-year-old No 8 from Brize Norton has been targeted as one of the most promising young players in the country.
The academy, run by former England coach Brian Ashton, will aim to feed these youngsters into the senior England squad under head coach Clive Woodward.
The intermediate academy, like the junior one for 16-to 19 year-olds, will be based at the University of Bath.
Matthews, a former Millfield School boy, said: "I am delighted to have been selected.
"After spending a year with the Junior National Academy last year and reaping the benefits, I think my development can only progress much further here.
"It is great that a new academy has been set up."
Matthews, from Caswell Farm, is a former Young England player.
As an 11-year-old, he was picked for Oxford United's Centre of Excellence, but at Millfield, he soon turned his attention to the oval ball game.
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