Two Sussex juniors have been called up to the new England Rugby Academy.

Kiba Richards and Hove team-mate Matt Evans have been picked out as potential stars of the future.

Richards is just 15 years old, but stands 6ft.4in tall and weighs 15st.2lb and has already drawn comparisons with New Zealand great Jonah Lomu.

Richards, a powerhouse wing or outside half, said: "It is a great chance for us to get known at club and national level."

The boys will undergo a strict regime involving weight training, gym work, nutritional advice and skills sessions on residential courses.

Richards said: "There is a bit of the Jonah Lomu in me as I am so big for my age. But I'll be up against boys older than me and I won't necessarily have such an advantage.

"My strength is that I am natural at rugby. I rely on my instincts.

"At Hove I've been quite successful and been top try scorer for three years. Hopefully, I can carry on my development with the Academy. I know it will be hard "I believe it will make me tougher, mentally and physically. The Academy will pay a lot of attention to things like what I eat. I believe I have a healthy diet as I am, like the rest of my family vegetarian, but the Academy want to ensure I get a good balance."

Richards has made rapid progress since moving from London to Sussex four years ago. The Hove Park pupil, who will be joining Brighton College next term on a scholarship, didn't even like rugby at first.

He said: "I hated it but I had to play. I found I was quite good and began to enjoy it."

Now he is looking to make a career out of the sport with Harlequins, who are linked to Hove through the Academy.

He said: "I know it is a long way off but I'd love to turn professional. Hopefully, being at the Academy can help me get into the Harlelquins first team and earn me one or two full England caps."

The RFU have chosen youngsters aged 16 to 21 who they hope will win the World Cup for England in 2007.

Richards, whose Christian name means son of the king, said: "I know it'll be a long shot but I'd love to be part of a winning England side. After all, I've got quite a name to live up to!"

Flanker Evans, 17, who is at Brighton College, plays for Hove under-18s.

He said: "It's a fantastic opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully it'll work out."

Academy coach Colin Osborn, based at Harlequins, said: "The set up has been put into place to try and ensure we win the World Cup.

"Kiba and Matt are among the ones we hope will be knocking on the door in five years.

"We want to give them every chance with a professional regime they have to follow every day to suit their own circumstances."

Hove, county champions at under-12s, under-14s and 16s, will set up girls' teams at under-16s and under-18s next season.