BRAD Walker and Liam Paisley, two of the graduates from Dowdales School’s successful rugby league years, flew out this weekend with England Academy to take on the cream of Australian High Schools in a two-Test series.

And Walker, the former Askam youngster who is now Widnes, has already received the highest accolade from his coach at the Vikings, Brett Hodgson – comparing him to the current Wigan and England captain.

“He works hard, has a great skill level and takes the hard hit-ups. He also plays well with the ball when we need him to. He reminds me of a young Sean O’Loughlin,” said the former Warrington and Huddersfield full-back.

The 18-year-old Walker was man of the match in the Academy’s 52-20 win over France in May, scoring 24 points.

Former Dalton amateur Liam Paisley, now making a name for himself with Wigan Warriors, is another that coach England Andy Kelly rates as among “the best young talent in the country right now.”

“I am confident that they can go over there and they can do themselves, their families and England proud,” he said.

The Furness pair are in the 24-strong party who will play two Tests and two warm-up fixtures on their four-week trip – the first by an Academy side for four years.

The two warm-up games will be against Canterbury Bulldogs this Saturday and Penrith Panthers a week later before the two Tests.