England call up Ali Ibrahim for U16 fixtures against Wales and France

Ali Ibrahim, a Hull teenager who was born in Gaza, has been selected in the England Under-16 squad for internationals against Wales and France next year. Ibrahim, a wing or centre who plays for the West Hull amateur club, is joined by his team-mate Gabriel Gatu, whose family are recent arrivals in the city from Kenya. "They are two good young kids," said Mel Harman, the Hull football manager and chief scout. "Gabriel was born in Nairobi and his family have only been in the country for two years or so but he's shown great potential in the 18 months or so that he's been playing the game. "Ali was born in Gaza, Palestine, and his family have been over here for about four years now. His father has a fast-food shop and during the summer they went home for five or six weeks to distribute money and other things to the poorer people where they're from. They're a real good family." The squad includes three young Londoners from Harlequins – Joe Keyes, Alex Abbott-Tavener and Harry Lightfoot-Brown. Only Wigan with eight players, Leeds with seven, and Hull and St Helens (six apiece) provide more, showing that the Rugby Football League's long-term investment in developing the game in the south is starting to bear fruit. Rob Powell, the new Harlequins coach, said Dan Sarginson, an 18-year-old half-back from Hemel Hempstead who has been selected in the England Academy team, will be promoted to their Super League squad before the 2011 season. Powell confirmed that he is keen to sign Mike Burnett, a 22-year-old Hull second-row who may be made available on an extended loan.