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Young Whitworth rugby talent aims for professional dream after international tour

Thursday, 5 June 2025 17:14

By David Murphy

A teenage rugby player from Whitworth is aiming to be scouted by a professional club after impressing during an overseas tour with his Saddleworth Rangers teammates.

Jack Ashworth, 15, has played rugby since the age of five and is now hoping to turn his passion into a career. The Whitworth Community High School pupil currently plays second row for Saddleworth Rangers U15s and recently returned from a week long trip to Spain and France with the squad.

The tour included training sessions in Lloret de Mar, team-building activities like kayaking and laser tag, and a competitive match against a French side in Cannes. Jack made a strong impression, assisting two tries during the game, which Saddleworth won 24–6.

“A lot of us got game time and it was great for bonding,” said Jack, who spent 30 minutes on the pitch during the match. “The best part was the game – it felt good to contribute to the win.”

Jack also attended a professional Super League match during the tour, watching Wigan Warriors defeat Catalan Dragons 48–0 in Perpignan.

Rugby runs in Jack’s family. His dad introduced him to the sport and his grandfather, Anthony Cox, played for a local team. Jack started out at St John with St Michael Primary School in Shawforth and joined Littleborough Rugby Club aged eight. After moving to Rochdale, he switched to Saddleworth at 14 and now trains regularly with the team, backed by his grandfather who still turns up to watch his matches.

Jack has also represented Whitworth High School on the rugby field and has clear ambitions. “I’ve supported St Helens since I started watching rugby and I’d love to play for them one day,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll get noticed before I leave school.”

Off the rugby field, Jack also plays football for Whitworth Valley Whites.

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