Talented duo in England call-up
Date published: 13 October 2011
TWO local rugby league starlets have been selected in the England Academy under-17s squad to challenge a touring team from Down Under.
Danny Yates and Josh Johnson are among 21 names in contention to play against the Australian Institute of Sport at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, December 4.
And for Josh (17) who, like Danny, played for Waterhead as a junior, it is a double cause for celebration.
The second row has also signed three-year professional forms at Super League side Huddersfield Giants.
Josh, from Diggle, started playing rugby league at Saddleworth Rangers, before switching to the Peach Road club.
He joined the Giants as a teenager and has gone to play for the under-18s, who are coached by Mick Slicker junior, and under 20s. Another product of Waterhead, scrum-half Danny (16) is a member of the St Helens academy.
He has skippered England under-16s and was called up to play the under-18s against France in Perpignan in June.
The squad, picked by head coach Dave Elliott, features players that have come through the ranks at 10 different Engage Super League clubs including newcomers for 2012, Widnes Vikings. St Helens, Bradford Bulls and Warrington Wolves dominate the squad, with 12 players coming from those three clubs alone.
Saints have the largest contingent in the squad, with five youngsters represented while Bradford are close behind with four representatives and Warrington with three. Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos both have two players in the squad while Hull FC, Harlequins RL, Huddersfield Giants, Widnes Vikings and Wakefield Wildcats all have one player each selected.
“We’re all looking forward to what lies in store and the players themselves are excited about the test,” said Elliott. “It’s a different challenge for us.
“We had some good experiences against France when we played them and to cap the year off with a win against the AIS is something the lads would all like to do.
“They all want to finish the season on a high and this game is a great opportunity to do that.”
