Full-back Joe Cobden will attempt to become the third member of his family to win international honours in 12 months when he plays for the England Under-16 side in the Four Nations Tournament in Lyon later this month.
Cobden, of King Edward VI School in Lichfield and Staffordshire, is the younger brother of Leicester Tigers centre Jack who was capped by England Under-18s in last season's Six Nations Tournament in Glsgow.
Their sister Beth, also a pupil at King Edward's, has also won international honours having played for the England Under-17 netball side in the Home Nations festival in Cardiff last weekend. She started in the wins over Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Cobdens' mother Pat teaches netball at King Edward's and their father Ian played asa centre for Lichfield when they enjoyed successful campaigns in what is now the EDF Energy Cup, playing Bath, Harlequins and London Welsh in successive seasons in the mid-1980s.
"I'm very proud of them, and it's unbelievable having three children who have played sport at international level," Ian said. "When Jack got picked I was so pleased for him. Then Beth got invited along to an England trial and she got picked to play the next week, which was a bit of a surprise.
"Now it's Joe who is probably the most naturally talented of them."
As supportive parents the Cobdens travel extensively to support their talented children and they will be in France to see Joe play for England against Wales in their opening game in the Four Nations event in Bourgoin on March 20.
Joe, who normally plays at centre for his school and county, is set to follow Jack to the Leicester Tigers Academy where he has been offered a place from this summer.
|
