Lauren Dennis, 19, who took up the physical sport two years ago, made her debut for NSW Country in June.

The diminutive winger was part of the squad to take on Sydney and the ACT as part of a warm-up tournament for the Australian national championships in Brisbane in July.

After the championships she was spotted by the Australian Rugby 7s coaches and has been invited to try out for the nationals rugby 7s team by attending a training camp at the Institute of Sport in Canberra this weekend.

Nationals programs manager with the HPU Anthony Eddy said Lauren has been identified as a player with the potential to be selected in the Australian Women’s 7s Squad.

Denniss started playing rugby in her final years of high school at St Mary’s, Maitland, and went on to play club rugby at Singleton before joining the Newcastle University team this year.

Denniss, a physiotherapy student at the uni, was selected in the Hunter woman's representative team and on the back of an outstanding performance at the NSW Country Championships in May, which included six tries, she won her place in the NSW Country side.

Despite her small stature, Denniss said she was not afraid of bigger opponents or the big hits that often come her way.

“My job is to run; not get in the way of the bigger girls,” she said.

Denniss first discovered her sporting ability as a swimmer, excelling in breaststroke.

She juggled the swimming with an athletics career which took her to the national titles in the 400m event.

She believes the training she received in both sports have given her the endurance and speed necessary for a successful tilt at rugby.