WSEH AC's Paul gets the call for Commonwealth Games after Rutherford pulls out with injury

Jacob Paul will compete in his first senior championships after being selected by Team England for the Commonwealth Games in April.

The 400m hurdler has been named in the squad after Glasgow 2014 long jump champion Greg Rutherford pulled out through injury.

The Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow AC member, who finished fifth at last summer’s European Under-23s Championships and took silver at the 2017 British Championships, was delighted to be selected.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “So excited to be able to announce that I’ve been added to Team England for the Commonwealth Games. Gold Coast here I come!

“First major champs, hope fully of many, for (coach) Marina Armstrong and I.”

Rutherford was quick to congratulate 22-year-old Paul on his selection.

He tweeted: “Good luck out there Jacob. All the very best.”

He later added: “I’m thrilled that Team England have replaced me with Jacob Paul. It gives another up-and-coming athlete a chance to break through on the senior stage.”

Paul’s coach Armstrong, was also quick to voice her praise on social media.

She wrote: “So proud of Jacob to have been selected for his first major senior championships.”

The Games take place in Gold Coast, Australia from April 4-15.