Ollie Poore is a great young hooker who plays for England at U19 level and attends East Durham & Houghall College and recently she was lucky enough to benefit from two days training with her rugby heroes Falcons hookers Nick Makin and James Isaacson.

She was at the usual throwing in session, Nick giving her feedback and explaining his technique. She then had a one to one scrummaging and hooking technique session. Ollie also joined Nick and James at Darsley Park, Newcastle United’s indoor training pitch, to get more coaching, before watching the whole squad train and meeting Jonny Wilkinson, who wished her and her team mates luck for their match against Wales at Broadstreet on April 25th.

Said Ollie’s England U19 coach, Phil Forsyth, who works with the Falcons hookers every week, “It was the guys’ idea to bring Ollie along and a great experience for a 16 year old in terms of learning and enjoyment. It has given her tremendous confidence.”