England call for college rugby skipper

A YOUNG woman from Warrington has been called up to the England Students Rugby League squad.
Megan Moore, captain of Priestley College’s girls’ rugby academy, will train with other elite players whose goal is to be selected for the team who play Great British Teachers on March 18.
“I was a bit shocked when I heard I’d got in, but I recognised some of the other girls at the trials so knew I wasn’t out of my depth,” said the 18-year-old.
“My goal is to play for the England national team and this takes me a step closer to that.”
Moore, who also plays for Warrington Wolves women’s team, found out about the call-up in January, but had to keep the news secret until the squad was officially announced two weeks later.
She secured her place after trials in Manchester, which involved an hour of drills and another of match play with nearly 100 other players. Only 24 made the cut.
It was the second England call-up for a Priestley College student in less than a month after footballer Kenny Bernal played for England U18s Schoolboys against Australia in January.
Priestley is now sponsoring Megan to help pay for her travel and kit costs.
Principal Matthew Grant said: “We’re extremely proud of Megan for her achievements and passion for the sport so we are glad to be supporting her beyond college. Everyone at Priestley wishes her well in securing a place on the England team.”
Moore, a former pupil at St Gregory’s RC High School, will now complete a two-year programme with the England squad.
It is an incredible achievement for the teenager from Great Sankey who only picked up a rugby ball because her primary school needed a girl in their team to qualify for certain tournaments.
Lee Mitchell, community Rugby League manager with the Warrington Wolves Foundation, coaches Moore in the Priestley rugby academy.
“Megan has supported girls who are new to the sport after joining the academy so it is inspiring for them to see her progress in this way,” he said.