Zak Poole ready to do battle with the North in Armed Forces clash at Doncaster's Castle Park

But the chance to represent the North of England in a charity game against the UK Armed Forces has made him alter his summer plans.

For on Saturday, July 4, the Sheffield RUFC forward joins players from the second tier down to the fourth in representing the North against UKAF at Castle Park, Doncaster.

It is the headline act of three games in one day in which the Armed Forces women play the North East, after the military select and England Counties Under-20s square off in the curtain-raiser at midday.

It is all to raise money for the nationwide charity, Military v Cancer, which is based in Doncaster.

“Usually I’m off at this time of the year, but this was too good an opportunity to turn down,” said Poole, the long-time Rotherham Titans captain who switched to Sheffield last summer and won National Two North for a second time in April.

“I didn’t play for Yorkshire at the end of the season in the county championship due to this opportunity and we’d had a good year at Sheffield, but the body needed a bit of a rest.

“I remember playing in the Armed Forces game that first year up at Kingston Park in 2023 and it was unreal. We won, but still managed to go out round Newcastle that night with a few of the Armed Forces boys.

"I’d taken the last couple of years of because it had fallen awkwardly, but with it being at the start of July, I’ll be back in pre-season, so it meant I was available so I was excited to be given the chance.”

And Poole, 28, expects a tough challenge. “It’s definitely above National Two standard, I reckon these two teams would give National One teams a push,” said Poole, who will play in the third tier with Sheffield next season.

“You’ve got players from all over the north, lads from Caldy who have just played in the Champ down to lads in National Two North. If you combine all that you’ve got a good Nat One team.

“First year the North won, then the year after UKAF woke up a bit and absolutely smashed the North - it wasn’t pretty.”

On the reasons why so many are willing to play in the game, Poole added: “I don’t know anyone who’s not been affected by cancer in their family.

“By playing in this game you’re playing for a great cause, which made me more inclined to do it rather than just putting my feet up over the summer.”

For tickets - £5 for Doncaster season ticket holders, military veterans and concessions; £10 general - visit https://www.drfc.co.uk/match-day-tickets/