Rugby league youngsters make debuts for Super League outfit

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Two young rugby league prospects from Caerphilly County Borough have made their debuts for Super League club Salford Red Devils.

Jacob Lee, from Caerphilly, and Joe Coope-Franklin, from Oakdale, played for the Red Devils in a testimonial against fellow-Super League side Warrington Wolves last month.

Lee, 19 and Coope-Franklin, 20, are both in their first year University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), where they on sports scholarships.

The duo play for the Red Devils’ reserve side, but stepped into the first team for the match. They also play for their university side.

Lee, who plays prop and back row, scored a try in the game. The Red Devils were beaten 30-14, but Lee described his debut as an “incredible experience”.

He added: “It is something I will never forget, and I hope I am able to make many more in the future.

“I take great pride in playing for the reserves as it provides a pathway to playing Super League and gives me an opportunity to do it with such a great club.”

Meanwhile, Coope-Franklin, who is studying for a degree in sports coaching and performance, said: “Making my debut for the first team was brilliant and playing in front of a crowd in a professional rugby league stadium felt amazing.

“My parents travelled from Wales to watch and some of my UCLan teammates came along to support me which made it even more special.

“I had only played rugby league for a year with the Welsh Rugby League National Development Academy before being selected for Salford reserves. I felt like this was a really good achievement and am delighted to be given the opportunity to improve my rugby skills with very experienced coaches.”

Before heading to UCLan, both Lee and Coope-Franklin had already represented Wales and played their rugby at Coleg y Cymoedd, where the Welsh Rugby League National Development Academy is based.

It was at a national training camp where their talents were spotted.

Coach Amanda Wilkinson, Rugby League Head Performance Coach at UCLan, helped the pair secure their university scholarships and gain an education alongside their budding rugby careers.

The duo are now gold level scholars and receive up to £5,000 each year, as well as physiotherapy, strength and conditioning training, nutrition and psychological support.

Coach Wilkinson said: “Through the scholarship programme we place great emphasis on providing a nurturing environment to look after our athletes’ welfare, as well as providing quality practical training.

“Joe and Jacob are a pleasure to coach and are developing well as Salford and UCLan players. To make a step up to the first team is a fantastic achievement and I look forward to seeing them progress. We’re building a strong UCLan men’s rugby league squad through the links that we have with professional clubs and it’s exciting to be working with this standard of players.”