SAINTS are well represented in England Rugby League’s Youth and Academy squads for the 2016 season.
Matty Ashcroft, Paul Nash and Sean Croston have been named in the Youth set-up whilst Kevin Brown, Matthew Lees, Brad Pinder, Josh Eaves and Robert Fairclough (pictured) are in the Academy.
“The performance staff at St Helens would like to congratulate all those players selected,” Saints Player Performance Manager Neil Kilshaw said. “It promises to be an exciting year for the Academy squad (Under 18s) as there is a mid-season tour to Australia to face the formidable Australian schoolboys, so it is all to play for.
“All those players in the England Academy set up were members of our unbeaten Australia tour last October so will be well placed should the make the final touring party.
“We’re also particularly pleased for Josh Eaves after his facial injury restricted his game time on our tour.”
He continued: “The England Youth team face France this year and the players selected have been rewarded with their performances last August when playing for an under 15s England team against Wales.
“All those players selected have done so through their hard work, commitment and dedication and their families, clubs, schools and themselves should rightly be proud.
“But I’d also like to take the opportunity to remind those players not selected that they too have many opportunities to break into the England squads.
“As a department we feel that many players are extremely unlucky not to have been selected and they shouldn’t be deterred from their goals of becoming a Super League player for St Helens.
“Well done and the very best.”
Coached by Gary Chambers, the 26-man England Youth squad train together each month between January and October and test themselves against France in Perpignan this March.
Andy Kelly’s 37-man England Academy will also meet each month and well as facing France in May and a touring Australia in July.
