Paul Hayes has been selected to represent Wales Under 21 in the forthcoming Junior European Nations Cup.

Hayes, who hails from Abingdon and learnt his hockey at Magdalen College School, Oxford, has won ten trophies for Cardiff University over the last three years, scoring almost 100 goals in the process.

The third year English Literature student is hoping to shine on the big stage as Wales' 18-man squad travel to Gibraltar next month to take on Scotland, Portugal and Italy in their group games.

"It is my first international tournament and I can't wait for it to start," he said.

"I'm not quite sure what to expect, but that makes it even more exciting.

"It will be difficult playing in such high temperatures, very different from the Welsh rain.

"But I have always been confident with my fitness and speed.

"Hopefully the heat will affect the opposition defenders more than me."

"I want to impress the Welsh management and hope to gain caps for the senior team.

"My first target is to score some goals in Gibraltar, and then I can concentrate on earning full international honours."