The 16-year-old received an email for expressions of interest for the tour last year and decided to apply for the rare opportunity.

He then received an exciting reply in November, informing him that he was among 22 juniors selected for the trip. Mills will spend 15 days traveling around Rome, Florence, Padua and Venice, training and playing in April.

His mother, Natasha, said seven training sessions will be split throughout the two weeks, including his first session in Narrabeen before heading overseas.

“The development team will head to Narrabeen in March before the trip, to give everyone a chance to properly meet and train together before flying to Italy on April 12,” she said.

Whilst in Europe, Mills will play against local clubs and different under-16 regional academy teams.

Players will focus on learning new tactics and techniques from experienced coaches, including strengthening key skills. Every second day, the team will play a game to put their new-found knowledge to the test.

Mills said he was looking forward to the experience as a whole.

The youngster has played rugby since he was five years old, and has been involved in Central North Rugby Union since he was 10.

“Hayden has been training three days a week at the boxing academy with Chalkie [Colin Rice] and TC Priestley to help with fitness,” Natasha said.

Country Rugby Union has organised a raffle to raise funds for the development squad. Tickets are available from the Amaroo Store, Moree, with plenty of great prizes on offer.

“He’s never been on a plane before,” Natasha said. “So his first plane ride will be from Moree to Sydney. Then he has a 29-hour trip to Europe with a stop over in Dubai.”