By Will Hopper (words) and Max Hunter (video)
On a cold and breezy morning at Leeds Trinity University, England Under 19’s are preparing for their upcoming international fixture against the old enemy, Australia.
Teenage twins Innes and Louis Senior made their way off the 3G pitch to prepare for their media duties.
After a bit of a joke around, Louis revealed what it was like to get called up to represent his national team. He said: “It was amazing. I’ve never played for England youth before so to get it for the first time, I’m just hoping I can get a spot in the team.”
“We’ve both got similar playing ability. If he’d got it and I didn’t, I’d be very jealous so it’s good for us both to get it.”
Jealousy is understandable between the brothers as it was Louis who made his Huddersfield Giants debut first. It happened at the Giants took on their West Yorkshire rivals, Leeds Rhinos in what ended as the first draw of the 2018 Super League season.
He said: “It was a bit surreal. It’s a lot different, you’re playing against big men and lot of them are a good 20 kilos heavier than you. It can be a bit scary but I thought I did well.”
Innes didn’t have to wait too long to play his first game for the senior side, as just three days later he found himself on a plane to take on Catalans Dragons.
It was such an impressive performance from the young winger that he kept his place in the starting line-up against Castleford Tigers where he featured alongside Louis.
“It was probably the highlight of my career that game. I got man of the match as well which was amazing. That was my favourite game I’ve ever played in my life,” Innes said.
After tasting the thrills and spills of the Super League, the Senior twins are keen to kick on and cement their places in the first team. Innes said: “Hopefully I can have a good pre-season and impress the new coach and earn a spot.”
“We’ve got a lot of competition, especially for me on the wing and they could bring someone else over as well. So I’ve got to definitely earn my spot.”
Both Innes and Louis recently signed contracts that keep them at their hometown club until 2020. They have both supported the Claret and Gold since they were young, but they didn’t rule out the possibility of playing elsewhere or against each other.
Louis said: “Anything could go on at Huddersfield. I know I’m there for the next two years contractedly, so I’ll just focus on them at the moment and getting in that team.”
Innes added: “I wouldn’t write it off. Anything could happen in your career, your head coach could fall out with you or anything like that. So it’s hard to say that you’ll be at the same team every year. I’m happy at Huddersfield at the moment and I’m enjoying my rugby there.”
When it comes to famous siblings, there are perhaps none more famous in the rugby world than the Burgess brothers. Of the four Dewsbury natives, twins George and Tom Burgess have enjoyed success with South Sydney Rabbitohs and the England senior side.
Tom featured from the bench in England’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final loss to Australia.
Innes said: “Obviously they’re the other twins in rugby league. They’ve gone over to the NRL and they’re doing really well over there. So I wouldn’t mind having a career like them at all.”