England call-up for Leeds Rhinos youth boss

Butterill coached the reformed Bramley Buffaloes side which won the Conference National Grand Final in 2009.

He also had spells with Featherstone Rovers’ under-18s and under-20s and joined Rhinos as a part time scholarship coach in 2015.

He became full time scholarship boss two years later and was the first Leeds coach to work with current Super League squad members including Harry Newman, Tom Holroyd and Alex Sutcliffe.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for me”, Butterill , who will continue to work at Leeds, said of his appointment.

“One of the things I’m really passionate about is developing young players and making the players people don’t see as being world beaters better players and better people. To have the chance to do this for the England Youth is a great honour.”

Before coronavirus struck, England Youth were due to play a two Test series in France next month and take on Wales in August. Butterill is confident working in the national system will help his own development as a coach.

“Not only do I get to work with the elite players at the scholarship age group, but I’m also getting to work outside the bubble that is Leeds Rhinos,” he said.

“I’ll be gaining different experiences which I can pass on to our scholarship players too. It also means the Leeds players that earn selection have someone there they know and they’ve worked with and I think that’s quite comforting.

“Like me, they get the chance to learn from the other coaches and players and take away some really valuable experiences, bring it back to Leeds and hopefully make us better and stronger.”

Rhinos Director of Rugby Kevin Sinfield set up the England performance unit, which includes the youth squad, when he worked for the Rugby Football League.

He said: “This is great news for Mark and thoroughly deserved.

“As a club it is great when our staff and players gain international recognition and we are delighted for him.”