Nickname The Knights Head coach Kieron Purtill Top try-scorer Jodie Broughton (6) | Region Europe Most caps Jodie Broughton (5) Top point-scorer Luke Gale (28) | |
England Knights is the current name of England's second national rugby league team. The team has previously been known by different names, such as Emerging England and England A. The Knights play a key role in the development of emerging talent, allowing players to gain experience in an international environment and to compete for a place in the England first team.
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England Knights compete in the Rugby League European Cup, winning the most recently held tournament in 2012. The Knights' head coach is Kieron Purtill.
History
The team competed in the 90's as "Emerging England". The team won the 2003 European Nations Cup as "England A".
As "England A", the team took on the Australian Kangaroos at Griffin Park in London in the second game of the 2003 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France. The Kangaroos defeated England A 26–22 in front of 6,817 fans. In the team that day were future England internationals Shaun Briscoe, Martin Gleeson, Ade Gardner, Chris Thorman, Rob Burrow, Andy Lynch, Matt Diskin, Rob Parker, Danny Tickle, Sean O'Loughlin, Danny McGuire, Mickey Higham and Gareth Hock as well as current internationals Mark Calderwood and Lee Radford.
In 2011, the Knights were created to serve as a step up for the younger players from their club in view of playing for the 1st team. A squad of players were chosen (below the age of 25) to represent the Knights and their first ever game was against France and the Knights came out 38–18 victors.
The Knights won the 2012 European Cup by beating Ireland and Scotland in a 3-game tournament.
Results and fixtures
Below are the previous 6 matches of the team. For all past match results, see the team's results page.Players
For all past and present players who have appeared for the national team, see England Knights rugby league team players.In addition, McNamara has an England Knights programme featuring players from Super League clubs who will supplement the pool of players available to the national team and add valuable pressure for international selection among the sport's top stars.
Current squad
The following players were called up for the curtain-raiser against Samoa in 2013.