WHILE Clive Woodward's men have looked on enviously as France succeeded to tie up the Six Nations Championship crown and the coveted Grand Slam, one Englishman still managed to get his hands on the trophy.

From a rugby league upbringing, Dave Ellis has risen to the highest echelons of the 15-a-side code, having assisted Bernard Laporte guide the French to glory and he now has the 2003 World Cup firmly in his sights.

But it is at Harrogate's Claro Road where Ellis was given his first chance in the union code and from there he has become one of the most respected defensive coaches.

From working with the then coach Simon Croft at Harrogate, Ellis has plied his trade across France with Racing Club France and Bordeaux, before moving to Gloucester.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Ellis, whose younger brother Kevin lives in Spofforth and plays for Wetherby RU, explained: "Opportunities were in short supply in rugby league. I had gained lots of experience in Australia and France, but there seemed little out there.

"So I started off with rugby union at Harrogate and then went back to France.

"It was just the six months at Harrogate with Simon (Croft) - Jim Kilfoyle used to come along and assist on Monday and I used to do my main work on Thursdays and then weekends.

"For match days Simon liked to wander around the pitch while I'd sit in the stand and we would bounce information off each other.

"Simon decided at the end of the season he was going to leave, but I was going to stay on. However, when I got an offer from France from Jacques Fouroux (former French coach) and Franck Mesnel (former French and Racing Club centre) and they told me their plans, it was too good to turn down."

And that offer to work in France has grown into bigger things for Ellis, with his partnership with coach Laporte over the past 18 months turning the Cockerels into the top team in the Northern Hemisphere - with eight straight victories.

And despite his league roots, he is keen to stay with union in French - although an offer from former Easingwold School pupil Woodward might be too good to resist.

"I think it would be silly to turn my back on rugby union after the success it has brought me with the Six Nations and the Grand Slam," said Ellis, who has been pin-pointed as the man who has brought consistency to the French game. "It just wouldn't be wise for me to go back to league.

"I sat down with Bernard Laporte back in September 2000 and we set our aims on the World Cup, but despite victory in the Six Nations we are only halfway along to this goal.

"It would be interesting if I did get an offer from England, but I am currently enjoying it with the French as it is a challenge for me to continually prove myself to them.

"I'm also enjoying life with Gloucester, but my contract is up in six weeks or so. I'm just waiting for an offer from them, but I've also got interested clubs in England, France and Australia so this is an exciting time for me."

Despite his commitments at the top,Ellis, who also runs his own defence coaching web-site (www.de-fence.co.uk), still hasn't lost touch with the club that gave him his chance.

"I was fortunate enough Gloucester were playing on a Friday night against Ebbw Vale a couple of months back, so I managed to get up to Harrogate to watch them against Kendal," he added.

"I bumped into their coach Ralph Zoing, some of the players and the committee there.

"It was good to see them because they gave me the opportunity when I didn't expect a club like Harrogate to give me a chance.

"I've promised them if I could do anything to help out I would, and I know Ralph is keen to sort something out at a date that is acceptable for everyone, so we will just have to wait and see."

If Ellis can pass on an ounce of the expertise that has seen the French develop then who'd back against Harrogate for promotion next season.

THE much coveted Yorkshire Cup swings into action on Tuesday with Selby, Harrogate and Pocklington chasing success, while on Wednesday York start their push for silverware.

In what many at Sandhill Lane feel should have been last year's final, Selby travel to holders Sandal. Selby were denied a place against the Wakefied-based outfit when they lost to Middlesbrough deep into injury time in their semi-final.

The much-fancied Harrogate outfit will entertain Huddersfield, while Yorkshire One strugglers know that they will be up against it when Doncaster head to Percy Road.

Local honour, as well as a second round place, will be up for grabs when Andy Gair's York side head to Goole.

All matches are scheduled to kick-off at 6.30pm.

SELBY created their own little piece of history with their 60-6 demolition of Pocklington on Saturday.

According to club sources, the victory is Selby's biggest since the advent of the league system in 1987.

Team manager Richard Besley said: "We were talking about it afterwards and as far as we know this is our highest score since starting the leagues.

"We've beaten sides in the past by more, but these have been friendly games not league matches. We are just sorry that it has happened against Pocklington."

THE Scotch Corner Hotel was taken over by Pocklington mini-rugby players on Sunday.

The club's Under-7s, Under-8s, Under-9s, Under-10s and Under-12s had been using the hotel as a base for their highly successful weekend tour to Middlesbrough and Durham.

And on Sunday they were joined by U13s, U14s and U15s - who had been on their own tour to Ambleside in the Lakes - to watch the Italy v England international on a big screen.

DON'T forget tomorrow sees the third annual York Veterans Festival at Clifton Park.

Action between Over-35s sides from North Yorkshire Police, Sandal, Unicorns, Selby, Driffield, York RI, Northallerton and the hosts York kicks-off at 11.30am with the finals for the plate and cup sections scheduled for 3pm onwards.

As well as a feast of quality rugby, there will be food and drinks available at Clifton Park throughout the day.

Updated: 11:26 Saturday, April 13, 2002