MORE than five years ago, Sean Croston was the victim of a horrific dog attack.

In April 2009, when he was with a friend and a German Shepherd left him with a bite marks on his chest which needed stitches, a cut under his arm and scratches to his chest and back.

It left the ex-Washacre Primary School pupil not wanting to leave the house but he turned his life around when he tried out a new activity.

Mum Debbie said: "He used to just want to stay in the house and play on his X-box and not go out.

"I took him along to Westhoughton Lions and he wanted to play rugby league.

"He was always playing out of his age in the years above.

"He then moved to Wigan St Judes and was there for three seasons winning the top try-scorer as well as the North West Counties League title three times.

"He got picked up by St Helens and has got a scholarship there.

"Wigan were also after him but he felt St Helens was a good place for him."

The Westhoughton High School pupil has made rugby his life as he is also a ball-boy at St Helens.

But the 15-year-old has ambitions of reaching the top in the sport.

He became one of the first junior players to win North West Counties rugby titles recently.

Debbie said: "He joined Newton Storm who are a new team.

"He won the NW Counties title and even though he was not the top try-scorer he was involved in the win in the final game.

"Then three days later he found out he was being picked for the England Under-15s squad for the game against Wales last weekend.

"He could not believe that he got called up.

"When he read the letter and it said 'For club and country' and it still brings goosebumps now.

"Some players found out before Sean and he just was prepared to get on with it and that he would not be in."

It was not the only success as with Newton Storm Under-15s they won the War of the Roses clash against a team from Yorkshire.

Debbie added: "They have only lost one game this season so it is great.

"He really wants to captain England and also carry on with his studies.

"He would like to be a criminal psychologist but needs to go to Cambridge University.

"Being a ball boy and on a scholarship at St Helens he gets to go to the gym and see the top players."

Studies are so important to Sean as Debbie explains.

"He got one of his GCSE's early in English Literature with the envelope of his results.

"But he would not open it until he finished playing with England.

"In the future they have a tour to France next year and he hopes to be involved in that."

Debbie believes Sean is focussed on success.

"He is very dedicated and determined," she said.

"I have always been told anything is achievable when you put your mind to it.

"He eats healthily and just drinks water and milk and does not eat any crisps."

Debbie believes rugby has been a great thing for Sean.

She said: "It has helped to give him confidence and he has got a tough year ahead of him.

"He wants to earn a place at the St Helens Academy whilst also doing his GCSEs."