A WOOLSTON Rovers youngster is celebrating after scooping an international awards double on Saturday.

Full back Danny Garcia O'Brien has impressed in Spain colours throughout the season and was named the nation's International Player of the Year as well as Players' Player of the Year.

Garcia, who turned 20 last month, is currently playing his rugby for French National Division Two side La Réole XIII, who are a rugby league club based in La Réole, Gironde in the Aquitaine region.

He has put in some fine performances for them but it has been his international performances that have really caught the eye.

Garcia was instrumental in the Spanish side moving swiftly up the world rankings and during 2015 they had victories over Latvia, Malta and Greece in qualifiers for the World Cup in 2017.

This also saw Spain lift the European Championship C Trophy, contested by the continent's third-tier nations.

Woolston Rovers PRO Dave Whalley said: “We are all absolutely delighted for Danny that he has been rewarded for all his hard work over the past couple of years.

"He has really taken to international rugby and his performances for the Spanish national side have been superb.

"They have improved so much over the past 12 months and it would be brilliant for the game over there if they were to qualify for the World Cup.

"Danny has been playing in France since last September and he has been earning some excellent reviews. Let’s hope that this is just the start of his rugby league journey."

Garcia's performances have helped Spain move forward to the next set of qualifiers in October, when they will face Russia and Ireland with the winners gaining automatic entry into the World Cup.

The second-placed nation will face the runners up of Wales, Italy and Serbia for a final European place at the 2017 competition. 

For further information, or if you would like to be involved at Rovers in any capacity, contact club secretary Nikki Whalley on 07889 170895, e-mail woolstonroversrl@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.woolstonrovers.co.uk