Former Dewsbury Moor junior player Declan Smith is heading to the European Rugby League Championships this summer after being selected for the Scotland youth team taking part in the event.

Declan, 17, was born in Scotland before moving to Liversedge with his family and will represent the country of his birth at the 2026 European Rugby League Championships to be held in France between July 10 and 19.

Initially raised in Dumfries, where his family moved there for work reasons, he came to West Yorkshire in 2012 and began attending rugby tots at Dewsbury Moor the following year.

Declan’s love of rugby league has followed from there and he is a centre or winger who currently plays for Siddal U18s.

Scotland U16s international Declan Smith in action

placeholder image — Scotland U16s international Declan Smith in action

He is a former Norristhorpe Junior and Spen Valley High School pupil and is now studying for his A Levels at Huddersfield New College.

Since 2025 he has been part of the Scotland U16s national team, scoring twice in five appearances so far. Now he has been successful in gaining a place in the 24-man squad which will take part in the European Championships in July.

The 2026 tournament will feature 10 nations, including England, France, Wales, Ireland, Serbia, Greece, Norway, Ukraine and the USA.

The Scotland RL programme is fully self funded, so to attend Declan must raise £1200, plus any further costs to attend monthly training camps in the lead up.

Anyone who could help with sponsorship can email [email protected]