Wales vs Ireland match report - Student Rugby League Four Nations

Lloyd Thomas scored five first half tries as Wales overwhelmed Ireland 72 - 0 in their opening fixture in the Student Four Nations.

The centre claimed his hat-trick after only 23 minutes and then went on to complete his five try haul three minutes before half-time.

Tom Hughes, Osain Phillips, Alex Randall, Jono Jones, Lewis Stockton and Morgan Evans were touched down as Wales began their Four Nations campaign with a bang.

With just two minutes gone on the clock, Marcus Webb’s cut out pass enabled Lloyd Thomas to go over for his first of his touchdowns. Five minutes later, his fancy footwork got him over for another, the successful conversion making it 10 – 0 after less than ten minutes.

Wales’s next two scores were the result of good handling and great footwork to increase the side’s advantage and punish Ireland even more. Osain Phillips and Thomas were the scorers, the centre Thomas making it a hat-trick.

A different method of attack brought Lloyd Thomas’s fourth, a kick to Lewis Stockton before the winger dumped the ball into the hands of his centre to touchdown.

Marcus Webb was cut Ireland open with ease throughout the afternoon, so it was no surprise to see his long pass to Lewys Weaver result in further points.

Ireland were having major defending issues out wide, but a barnstorming run down the middle by Morgan Evans also proved beyond the Irish defenders.

Alex Ranall grabbed two tries in the final 20 minutes, both being simple run-ins for the forward.

Jono Jones and Lewys Weaver rounded off the scoring for Wales inside the last 15 minutes, showing a statement of intent from Wales.

England vs Scotland match report - Student Rugby League Four Nations

England students ran riot in the opening game of the Student Four Nations defeating Scotland by 62-6.

The captain, Chris Atkin grabbed two tries and kicked nine conversions for a 26-point haul. There was also a brace for hooker, Josh Dixon who was an influential figure for his side.

Billy Griffiths, Tom Hall, James Morgan, Blake Mattovitc, Anthony Squire and Jack Howdle all touched down but Scotland avoided a whitewash as Matthew Williams burrowed over a converted try.

It didn’t take England long to get the scoreboard moving, Josh Dixon diving over from dummy half close to the posts. They soon doubled their lead when Chris Atkin’s cut-out pass opened up a gap for Jack Howdle to score with ease.

Both sides created scoring chances but couldn’t finish them off.  England full-back, Billy Griffiths bombed a certain try when he knocked on whilst trying to get the ball down.

Scotland then got the opportunity to get back into the contest, Parker’s break down the left created space for Martin McNiven but he was denied by a terrific tackle from Anthony Squire.

Despite Griffiths missing out earlier, he did get over on the half hour after slicing his way through the Scotland line. Matt Williams’ short range try for Scotland just before the break gave the Scots something to cheer about and gave them some encouragement going into the second half.

However they had no answer to England in the second half. Chris Atkin collected his second within the first three minutes and Blake Mattovitc and Matty Brewer’s efforts came from some great offloads on the last tackle byEngland.

Squire’s superb tackle in the first half was rewarded late on when he pounced on a loose ball in the closing minutes of the game to wrap things up

Jodie Broughton interview

In Rugby League, players will earn in a year what some footballers receive in a week. Building for the future after hanging up your boots is crucial. Some players will either go into coaching or work in the media. For others, going into a completely different working environment is the only other option.

Huddersfield Giants winger, Jodie Broughton is someone who is already planning ahead after his playing days. The 26-year old is currently working part-time as a quantity surveyor for Wates. Something he’s been involved with from the age of 18.

“I was playing rugby for Leeds scholars, I played in a few trial games and then I got asked to sign for the Leeds academy. At the same time I was studying at 6^th form which was what I always wanted to do, learn and go on to do a degree.” He explained. “I just finished 6^th form and I was applying for jobs and apprenticeships at the time and Wates offered me a job interview as part of a learn and earn scheme, so I was doing that when I left 6^th form.”

Despite his keen interest in his part-time job, Rugby League always surrounded him. His dad, an ex-player himself, helped Jodie understand the game from a young age: “My dad used to play so when I was growing up I always knew how to play rugby. I first started playing when I was about nine. But because I already knew the game it gave me a head start.”

Broughton is well-known in the sport for his blistering pace down the wing which earned him the title of the ‘Fastest Man in Super League’ in 2011. At a time which saw him gain some recognition from England coach, Steve McNamara.

“It was unbelievable, it was my first year at Salford as well so I never thought something like that would happen. I just couldn’t believe it when Steve McNamara gave me a call to tell me that I was going to be in the training squad. I didn’t go to Australia with the squad for the Four Nations that year but it was still a good experience.”

The former Leeds academy product experienced some highs and lows in his time at Salford, particularly when administration was looming: “It was the worst point in my career, for everyone at the club it was the same every day wondering whether we’ll be paid or not which was a big weight on everyone’s shoulders.”

2013 saw the recently rebranded Salford Red Devils rescued by Marwan Koukash. Despite a lot of positivity off the field, on it, Salford finished bottom of the pile and Broughton decided to return back to West Yorkshire to sign for Huddersfield.

“I just felt it was the right time to have a change in my career, also it’s close to where I live and work so travelling every day isn’t too much of an issue whereas when I was at Salford, I’d be travelling from Leeds every day for training and games.”

Balancing being a professional Rugby League player and working as a quantity surveyor isn’t easy, but Broughton believes he has the right balance: “I have a certain amount of hours every week for the job at Wates so I can balance the two. It works around rugby which is great, particularly if I’ve got a day off. But I do make sure I’m not constantly working too.”

A career in sport isn’t something that people can do until they’re 65. In a salary cap sport, money doesn’t last forever. It’s important players begin to plan for life after playing as early as they can.