Thomas Rock helped England Under-19s to a winning start in the FIRA World Cup in Paris.

The Keighley Rugby Union star, who is a member of the Leeds Tykes club, scored a scintillating 19th minute try as England opened their campaign with a 30-7 victory over Russia.

They found the going tough in their second game, going down 19-3 to a strong South African side on Sunday.

Their only score was a penalty from the boot of London Irish's Ross Broadfoot in the second half. South Africa attacked from the opening whistle forcing mistakes from the England side.

They made amends with a 15-11 victory over Wales on Wednesday evening. rock was in the starting line-up as England secured a 5-0 lead at the break. they completed a solid performance with two tries, a conversion and a drop goal.

They now play Ireland on Sunday in the final group game.

n Keighley's Chris Meehan is on the verge of a date at Twickenham after Yorkshire beat East Midlands 52-20 in the quarter-finals of the Tetley's National Under-20s County Championship.

Meehan was in the White Rose squad and will be in the line-up to take on Cornwall in the semi-final on May 3.

After a strong start by Yorkshire East Midlands fought back and were rewarded with a penalty to leave the half-time score at 12-3. Yorkshire moved up a gear, playing their best rugby of the season.

Yorkshire played all their squad but an injury left them a man short in the closing stages and East Midlands took advantage to score a penalty and two converted.

n Keith Shackleton of Oakbank School, is in the English Schools Rugby League Under-15 squad to take on Wales Under-16s at Aberavon RFC today, Good Friday.

Team manager Steve Boothroyd said: "This is the first rung on Rugby League's international ladder and many past and current professional players have represented their country at this level.

"All members of the squad have received tremendous back-up from the Rugby Football League in the form of medical screening and top class coaching and we believe the game will be a great contest."