by Martin Morgan

Last updated at 12:02, Thursday, 07 June 2012

EGREMONT Rangers youngster Paul Corkhill passed a late fitness test to book his place on Great Britain Under-23s’ tour to Jamaica – just over 10 weeks after breaking his leg.

Touching down: Paul Corkhill, who has joined his Egremont team-mates on a tour of Jamaica

The scrum-half has not played since suffering the hairline fracture against Oldham in the Challenge Cup but was deemed fit to join Egremont team-mates John Paul Brocklebank and Clayton Sutton, plus Ross Gainford of Kells and Cockermouth’s Jonny Goulding, on the GB Cougars plane that flew out of Gatwick yesterday.

“The coaches rate him highly, and his performance against Oldham virtually sealed it,” said Egremont spokesman Daemon Ireland. “He hasn’t played a game but he passed a fitness test and they are going on his past ability.

“He’s a naturally fit kid who doesn’t need a lot of training. He’ll be back up to game pace within one game.”

Ireland added that Corkhill could have featured in Egremont’s last two matches but coach John Brocklebank had not wanted to risk him with the tour in mind.

John Paul Brocklebank, named National Conference Division One player of the month for May, with Egremont team of the month, will be tour captain.

“He is vastly-experienced and this is his third or fourth tour,” Ireland said. “He has moved from 13 to six for Egremont and he has gone on tour as a six. The half-back partnership will hopefully be him and Corky.

“Clayton Sutton used to play for Distington and came to us half-way through the mini season last year. He’s an outstanding player and has been on fire.”

During their 14-day tour, the GB squad will be based at the Four Seasons Hotel, Kingston, and in between Test matches will face Jamaica Intercollegiate All Stars.

BARLA Great Britain international manager Mick Turner said: “This is the first time that a BARLA side has been involved in a tour of Jamaica, one of the West Indies islands, and we are going there to help in their continued development in rugby league.

“This will involve playing three games, including Two Tests against the Jamaica national side, and the coaches and players visiting local schools giving coaching clinics to improve their skills in the game.

“Last year Jamaica lost out to the USA in the World Cup qualifying competition decider in Jacksonville after both countries defeated South Africa. Although they lost out for next year’s World Cup in Great Britain our intention is to help them develop their game and in years to come qualify for that competition.

“The Cougars have been training hard in preparation for this tour and are aware of what is expected of them as ambassadors of this country.

“And for all of them this is the next step up on BARLA’s international pathway, which this year will see the BARLA Great Britain Lions play the South Sydney Ambassadors at Sale, some hours before the Stobart Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

“It is also a learning curve for them in visiting Jamaica and learning the culture and traditions of this island. They will have a few days acclimatisation including a number of training sessions as they hit the ground running with their opening Test Match against Jamaica. I would like to thank all our sponsors who have helped to make this tour possible.”

Egremont, with seven wins from 10 league outings, host Hunslet Warriors on Saturday in a battle of last season’s two promoted clubs.

“We are absolutley over the moon with how they are going this year,” Ireland added. “We have lost players but hopefully we can carry it on and push for promotion.”

First published at 11:13, Thursday, 07 June 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk