YOUNG rugby league players are aiming to go Continental.

And they have got off to a great start for their dream trip to France.

Players from Underbank Rangers Under-10s have been chosen to play a curtain-raiser before the Super League match between Catalans Dragons and Huddersfield Giants on Saturday, March 17.

The game will be played in Perpignan, south-west France, and thousands of spectators are expected.

Now the youngsters at the Holmfirth club have started the hard work of raising cash to pay for the trip of a lifetime.

Their first venture saw them join coach Chris Churm, parents and friends alongside the tills at Morrisons supermarket in Meltham for four hours of bag-packing.

Their efforts raised more than £510.

Club spokesman Hazel Ettienne said: "It's a great chance for the youngsters to play a French team in front of a big crowd.

"Underbank's Under-12s forged a link when they and a Huddersfield Sharks team played games in the Catalans stadium last year and this year's trip is eagerly awaited.

"Now we have to work hard on the fundraising and would welcome sponsorship from anyone who can help."

A large contingent of rugby league fans crossed to France to watch Huddersfield Giants play Catalans Dragons last season.

About 1,000 Giants' fans flocked to the Stade Aime Giral in Perpignan for their team's final away game of the Super League XI season.

Chants of "Fartown" and the banging of a drum filled the stadium, which saw the Giants win 20-12.

Underbank's Under-12 and the Sharks's Under-11 squads took on French teams for several minutes in front of the 6,463 crowd.

* If you can help contact hazel.ettienne@examiner.co.uk