IN terms of the sporting pecking order, Warrington RUFC know their place.

With rugby league so entrenched in the fabric of this town, the 15-man game rarely gets much of a look-in with the wider sporting public.

Warrington’s union community is a tight-knit one, however, and the club are building for the future.

They are making a pretty good job of it, too with junior teams topping leagues and winning cups left, right and centre while plenty of players are getting representative honours.

With an emphasis on skill over size, the club are coaching a skillset transferable across both codes with the help of former Warrington Wolves player Darren Abram, who has coached at Leigh Centurions and Rochdale Hornets.

“We understand our place within a rugby league town,” under 16s coach Dave Hartill said.

“With that in mind, it's gratifying that the core skills we teach our kids are being recognised in both codes.

“There is an awful lot of talent on display and I'd advise anyone who likes either code to come down and enjoy watching or playing an exciting, attractive brand of rugby.

“Darren Abram has been helping to coach the coaches on core skills and this has fed throughout the club.

“Our kids aren't often the biggest, but we make up for this in skill and athleticism.

“Every junior team has made it through to the knock-out stages of the Lancashire Cup – more than any other Lancashire club and our Junior and Senior Colts are both at the top of their divisions.

“It is a true club in every sense, with the older kids looking out for the younger ones and the development from a player-coach point of view has been consistent throughout.”

The latest success stories are Jack Higgins and Roma Zheng, who were selected to represent North of England’s under 18s side.

Both are regulars in Sale Sharks academy teams alongside clubmates Eddie Meulish and Archie Kellett as well as on the county scene with Lancashire.

Under 18s coach Stuart Beeley said: “Both players have been with the team since primary school and have played their part in a very successful minis to juniors to colts team through county to Sale alongside Eddie Melhuish and Archie, and are now North of England representatives at u18s.”