BOURNEMOUTH-based duo Issa Batrane and Andy Clayton have been selected for Great Britain duty at next month's World University Championships in Estonia.

Batrane recently made history when he and partner Harry Jones became the first England team to make it through the pool stages of an under-21 tournament.

“I’m really happy to be selected,” said Batrane, who plays for Wessex.

“I was one of the youngest at the selection camp and had no expectations so I just threw everything at it and it paid off.

“It’s been a great season so far and it’s really given me confidence in my game. Andy is a really driven athlete who likes to perform well so we’ll be a good match.”

Team Northumbria’s Clayton, who played for England on the NEVZA tour in 2014-15, has won numerous indoor accolades.

“Beach is relatively new to me so I’m really happy to be selected,” he said. “The vision for us in the long term is Tokyo 2020.

“Issa and I get on really well, he’s got a great work ethic and is really driven. All we can do it plan our matches, work hard and play the best we can.”

Lewie Lett will be the duo’s head coach at the competition and he revealed how the pair had worked hard to earn their berths.

“We’ve made significant progress with the men’s development squad and selection was really tough,” he said.

“We have a number of players who are working hard, so Issa and Andy really had to push themselves to claim the top spots.

“They showed the best consistency throughout the camp as well as a good mentality and physicality, which is why they were selected.

“This is the first time in a number of years that GB has had a team in this competition so we’ll be looking to be competitive.

“We have high standards and we are expecting some good results from Issa and Andy.”