Coaching opportunities give hope for England’s future

Along with team-mates Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield and Keith Senior and a host of other experienced Super League performers, Jones-Buchanan, 29, has taken the opportunity to progress his own coaching career while helping the stars of tomorrow.

Hull FC scrum-half Sean Long, Bradford captain Andy Lynch and Warrington’s Adrian Morley also join ex-players such as Keiron Cunningham, Kris Radlinski and Steve Prescott at today’s launch.

Spearheaded by England coach Steve McNamara, the programme is aimed at identifying current British players who have the attributes required to continue their career within the sport once their playing days have come to an end. They will experience coaching first hand during a series of ‘positional days’ with England Youth and Academy members throughout the season, when the senior players will be able to impart their knowledge to the youngsters coming through in their respective playing positions.

Jones-Buchanan will conduct coaching sessions with young second-rows, England captain Peacock will work with the props while Daryl Clark, 17-year-old Castleford hooker who made his Super League debut on Friday, could receive invaluable one-on-one tuition from the masterly Cunningham.

“It’s a great idea and creates that perpetual motion of players who have played longish careers getting back out and helping,” said Jones-Buchanan.

“Instead of all that experience and talent just leaving the game as people go off and get another job, it will now come back and help some young kids. Instead of getting somebody’s dad coaching like we did back in the day – and that isn‘t a bad thing, we need that too – receiving experienced coaching from people those lads have probably looked up to will serve as an inspiration to them as well.

“Me, Keith (Senior) and Rob Burrow have been involved with Leeds’ 15s and 16s before and now we’re doing it nationally. That’s what we need to do if we are going to compete internationally.”

Hull KR centre Jake Webster has lost his appeal against the two-match ban imposed for a dangerous tackle on Warrington winger Chris Riley on Sunday.

n Featherstone have handed a deal to ex-Huddersfield half-back Tom Hemmingway and Harlequins prop Dave Williams on loan, while former Castleford half-back Jonny Hepworth will join once his playing commitments with Rotherham Titans RU are completed.