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Grassroots: Sharks junior makes his England debut

Shaw Cross Sharks product Kobe Poching has reflected on making his debut for the England Youth Team on Tuesday.

England were defeated 24-20 by France, and Poching says he took plenty from the experience.

“It was a tough one, totally different to anything I’ve played before. It’s what you’d expect from international rugby,” he told the Shaw Cross Sharks website.

“We went against a lot of big lads and it was a tough test with the heat, and the temperature kind of got to us.”

Poching recently signed professional papers with Super League club Huddersfield Giants.

His dad is former Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity player, Willie Poching, and he is coached at the Giants by former Rams boss, Andy Kelly.

Kobe’s brother Will currently plays for Thornhill Trojans.

“My dad is my biggest critic,” said Poching, who can play a number of positions.

“It’s quite an honour, I’ve got big shoes to fill and big expectations, but I like the challenge.

“It’s easy to get ahead of yourself signing a professional contract,” the youngster added, “but now the hard work starts and we’ll get ready for pre-season.”

The England Youth Team will face France again on Friday.

Dewsbury Rams would like to wish Kobe and his England team-mates good luck for the second test.