Rugby League World Cup 2008 - Week Three reviewed

Scotland 0-48 Tonga
Danny 'Mel Gibson' Brough may have led Scotland to their first historic win over Fiji last time out, but his absence left a hole in the defence and zero direction in attack. The Bravehearts were a shadow of their former selves on the Central Coast up in Rockhampton this time round and shipping in 48 points showed.


Tonga meanwhile, displayed the sort of rugby that shows they can play this time round capping off an indifferent campaign. Their attitude and commitment to the World Cup over the course of the past three weeks shows they want to play international Rugby League on a regular basis and in a competitive environment.


England 24-36 New Zealand
England outplayed New Zealand. They dominated around the ruck area with Micky Higham being an inspirational metre-maker. The halfbacks had the knowledge to throw the ball around in their own half at the right time and Rob Burrow destroyed The Kiwis on their own line in attack. Even the three-quarters continually backed their teammates up whenever a break was made. It was a wonderful display of Rugby League against what many critics deem to be our equals.


So why did it all go belly up in the second half? Why did England go back to the one dimensional tactics that saw us get over 50 points shipped past us in Melbourne? With a 24-8 lead, what was so difficult in continuing to put New Zealand on the back foot again and again like we did in the first half hour? It was such a wonderful collapse that a demolition crew would be impressed.


But despite the lack in concentration, England can take away from the game the posetives of the first half and to beat New Zealand next week, it is essential we apply those posetives for the full eighty minutes in the semi final.


France 10-42 Samoa
Using their third hooker in three games, France did a Scotland for just about seventy minutes of the game and failed to show up. Thomas Bosc led a French revolution late on but the damage was done and being assessed by the Samoans by the time France got their act together.


Nonetheless, it was nice to see another dominant Pacific display and further evidence a Pacific Nations Cup must be ressurected to ensure the growth of the international game in these countries.


Australia 46-6 Papua New Guinea
David Williams may have stole the show for Australia with a debut hat trick, but the limelight went to Stanley Gene after his final international game for The Kumuls.


Scott Price also put his name in the air for the semi finals after a two try display at scrum half partnering another debutant, Terry Campese. But the second story of the game was Papua New Guinea's attitude and determination not to let Australia run away with the game. But the reality is, it was their determination and attitude that often backfired on them, revealing their inexperience which Australia exposed.


But fair play to The Kumuls for turning up. They wern't happy about the draw, but of all the nations outside the 'top three' they can hold their heads up high the most on the return journey home.


Fiji 30-14 Ireland
Of the three home nations that participated in this World Cup, only Ireland can go home saying they have given their all in every game. They showed once again the courage, attitude, determination and spirit they possess despite being outplayed by a Fijian side that has made history by making the semi finals.

Both sides were against the odds according to me and many other critics, who said that Ireland would finish bottom of Pool C and Fiji would come second to France. Well, this World Cup has proven how unpredictable the sport is and how the right attitude will enable you to beat anybody.

Rugby League World Cup - Final B & C games reviewed AND week three preview

Ireland 34 – 16 Samoa
Luck of the Irish game gave Pat Richards a hat trick, a record point tally in a World Cup game and took Ireland into the semi final qualifier on Monday. Samoa started the stronger side with several attacks on the Irish line within the first ten minutes. But Ireland scored first which seemed to demoralise the Samoans and it took them time to recompose themselves, by which time the damage was too much to repair.

Stunned Samoa had another string of chances on the Irish line midway through the second half. They dominated when in attack but couldn’t get past a determined defence. Not only that, but Ireland forced them into errors putting them under more pressure as they tried to drag back the deficit to less than six points, enough to send them through as group winners on points difference.

No doubt Ireland deserved their win. They were the better side and wanted to win more than Samoa. With needing to score and win, Ireland’s mind set was based on attacking the Samoans, whereas Nigel Vagana’s side only had to prevent their opponents from scoring a converted try. Therefore, the game was won mentally before either side stepped onto the pitch.

Scotland 18-16 Fiji
This game had everything. Biff, speed, skill, drama, passion and a re-write in history. Scotland won a World Cup game for the first time against Fiji in dramatic style. With eight minutes remaining and scores level, Fiji scored in the corner. However, three minutes later Scotland crossed the whitewash on a benefit of the doubt ruling. Danny Brough converted the try to edge the Scots ahead.

It was without doubt the game of the tournament so far and had me hooked for the whole eighty minutes. The fight involving Ian Henderson was truly one of the best all season. The neither player backed down with the Fijian loose forward getting a few good punches to the head of Henderson.

But the win does not secure Scotland’s place in the semi final qualifier. A 28 point winning margin was needed to set up an all British match, but Scotland can now take on Tonga with pride and walk away knowing they have done Scottish Rugby League proud.


And so with five games and all teams involved as we head into the third week of this tournament, a quick preview of this weekend’s games is in order.

Scotland V Tonga
Scotland will be on a high after their win over Fiji. Tonga go into this game on the back of a loss to rivals Samoa.
Prediction: Scotland by 6

England V New Zealand
Improvement is needed for England after last weeks mauling by Australia. New Zealand go into the game after a comfortable win over Papua New Guinea, but still possess a strong line up capable of challenging England.
Prediction: New Zealand by 18

France V Samoa
France will be disappointed not progressing any further in this competition and finishing bottom of their pool. Samoa will no doubt feel the same after their loss to Ireland, especially as they were heading the group before Wednesday.
Prediction: Samoa by 12

Australia V Papua New Guinea
With Darren Lockyer and a host of other regular starting players rested, Australia will not in any way shape or form be weakened. Players will be playing for places in the knockout stages so still expect the Aussies to stuff the brave Papuans. A shock win for PNG will see them progress to the semis if England lose by over fourteen points or PNG win by that amount.
Prediction: Australia by 48

Fiji V Ireland
Ireland will be on a high as well after their win against Samoa. Fiji shouldn’t be demoralised by their close loss to Scotland, but who knows what will happen in this tournament outside Pool A.
Prediction: Fiji by 2

Rugby League World Cup 2008 final Pool B & C games previewed.

Ireland V Samoa
An 11 point or more win will see defiantly see Ireland into the next stage of the World Cup, and with their display against Tonga added to the team spirit in the camp there is a real possibility of this happening. Having had a coaching session by Andrew Johns leading up to the game tomorrow and the entire team getting tattoos as a sign of team spirit, the Irish couldn’t be more motivated to succeed and prove the critics wrong.

Samoa will go into this game as favourites though. They look the strongest on paper and came away with a promising win over Tonga on Friday. But the short five day turn around in preparation to this game may not be enough compared to a team that has had a week and a half rest period. In any other scenario, Samoa should carve Ireland apart. But Irish spirit, motivation and a lengthy rest period between matches could see a close competitive game.
Prediction: Samoa by 6

Scotland V Fiji
Scotland must have been worried watching Fiji tear France apart on Saturday. However, the same question applies with Fiji about Samoa. How will the short turnaround in preparing for this game affect their performance against a side that has had a longer wait than Ireland for this match? Also, how much has the France game on Saturday taken out of the faithful Fijians? That said, I thought Scotland buckled late on against France on day two of this tournament. To beat Fiji it will take a massive turnaround, but its one they have been preparing for over a week for.

Fiji can’t go into this game complacent of winning. That is despite a heavily scoring match against France. However, it seems likely that whatever the result tomorrow Fiji will go through to face the winners of Pool C on points difference. Scotland have to make up a 56 point deficit to get to the semi final qualifier, which for me is way too much.
Prediction: Fiji by 20

Rugby League World Cup - Week One review.

England 32-22 Papua New Guinea
After watching The Kumels dominate England for the majority of the first half, you have to wonder if we seriously have any chance of winning this tournament. PNG went into the tournament unhappy with the format, and unhappy with the draw that they said guaranteed them three losses in three matches. But no matter how they finish the tournament now, they can hold their heads high knowing they have given one of the biggest nations in Rugby League a huge scare.

The only defence for England is knowing that most of the seventeen that played in Townsville hadn’t played together since the thrashing of France. A PNG first team had lost to an Australian Prime Ministers XIII a week before the Grand Finals, but at least their team had played together within a month leading up the World Cup opener.

I have to credit Neville Costigan who was easily the best man on the pitch. For him to be on the losing side is a bit of injustice but Adrian Lam did mention before the tournament that this competition gave his players the opportunity to put themselves in the shop window for Super League and NRL clubs. Papua New Guinea has always been able to produce promising players and I feel one or two will be snapped up if they continue to perform against New Zealand and Australia.

For England I think the only decent player on the field was James Roby. His runs from dummy half gave England the go forward that PNG weren’t capable of stopping. Man for man, PNG managed to stand up against our props. Peacock didn’t have that good of a game as captain, as did any of the other forwards, but Morley did make an impact when he came off the bench on a few occasions.

Looking ahead, I feel Papua New Guinea can challenge New Zealand the way they did England. As for England, there is a slim hope they can beat Australia so long as the forwards outplay Price, Civoniceva, Laffranchi and the rest. From there, England can put the sword to the back line and hopefully Gardner, Gleeson, Senoir and Smith or Calderwood can finish off the attack. Its a big ask for the forwards, but it has been done before. Remember the last time Australia lost a match?

Scotland 18-36 France
The French were too good for Scotland really. The Scots played well and were able to compete for the majority of the game, but lacked the ability or fitness to play for the full eighty minutes. This was seen as France scored a very good team try on the full time hooter from inside their own thirty metres.

There were promising signs for France though. The fact they scored three tries, for a team that has never won a World Cup match, must be a massive boost for Steve McCormack going into the final group game against Fiji. France meanwhile, can take away an impressive performance from ex-Canberra and Warrington player Jerome Guissett. He showed what he is capable of on his day and came up with a solid prop forwards effort.

Australia 30-6 New Zealand
Theres no other word for it really. Australia blitzed New Zealand in what was promised as the game of week one. It went downhill for New Zealand from the start. Steve Matai will miss the PNG game on Saturday after a terrible forearm tackle on Gallen. The inexperience of Joel Monaghan, Laffranchi and Glenn Stewart didn’t prove anything as New Zealand weren’t able to use that to their advantage. Benji Marshall failed to live up to his reputation as the saviour of New Zealand’s tournament. In my opinion, the Kiwi players relied too much on his presence while Australia nailed onto him from the off.

Apart from Matai’s forearm tackle resulting in a ban for the Manly centre, he also has to contend with a suspected wrist injury. He was seen holding his wrist on various occasions throught the game, more noticeably after taking New Zealand’s only conversion. Injury worries also for Australia, Jonathan Thurston has an dodgy shoulder problem while Brent Tate went off with suspected concussion. Both potentially could miss the game in Melbourne against England.

Special credit must go to Israel Folau. The teenager never backed down and scored two decent tries in the corner. He could have had a hat-trick had his first half effort not been prevented by the New Zealand defence.

Tonga 22-20 Ireland
Heartbreak for Ireland as they lost to Tonga in what is so far the tournaments most exciting game. By all accounts, it wasn’t the most skilful game you’ll see in the next month or so, but it proved to be exciting due to the emotion and determination of both sides desperation to win. Damien Blanch’s hat-trick went unrewarded but Ireland can take heart from a solid display. Many pundits, myself included, tipped them to be the whipping boys of Pool 3. By losing so narrowly, they proved to me and many others they are not here to make up the numbers.

A Tap on the Twenty’s Rugby League World Cup preview.

We are now a matter of days before the World Cup kicks off in Townsville on 25th October. England along with Papua New Guinea will begin the long awaited tournament which was first announced by the RLIF in 2004. Moving on from the disaster tournament of 2000, in my opinion this years competition has the potential to resurrect the international game to new levels. With the development being spread across France, we have another creditable international side slowly rising from the ashes. In the Pacific isles, Rugby League has been a relatively low key affair internationally. I feel the utmost importance on this side of the world is funding the relevant governing bodies to ensure competitive international matches are played regularly between the likes on Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea. Throw in an Australian and New Zealand rep sides to ensure they are playing at a decent standard of rugby and have a mountain to climb in terms of establishing a decent standard that is a credit to the international game. The Pacific Islands were born to play Rugby League, so support from the ARL and RLIF would defiantly not go amiss.

Anyway, that’s for the future. Onto more pressing matters, and that is to see England (hopefully) lift the World Cup in Brisbane on the 22nd November. The format of this year’s competition has been heavily criticised. However, I feel it is of the utmost important to have a competitive tournament. If having a bizarre format establishes a tournament that is exciting to watch, it will draw the crowds in. If it draws the crowds in, it will be a success and therefore a saviour to the international game.

Every effort has been made to ensure fans in Australia know about the tournament. The ‘Heroes Here 08’ slogan has been branded about on every sponsorship billboard across every NRL ground. Even an advertisement on the runway of Melbourne airport has been spotted with the tagline ‘sent here for punishment’. Underneath is a picture of English scrum half, Rob Burrow. But despite the efforts by Colin Love and his merry band of organisers, Australian die hard fans are forever being the pessimists. “Who gives a f-ck?” was a quote used by Steve Mascord supplied by an NRL supporter in the latest issue of Rugby League World. So it seems the Australians don’t care. That is despite the final selling out months ago, is it? We all know Sydney-siders have this problem of attending games, but I guarantee you games in Townsville, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra will all have high attendances. You couldn’t spread the game better in Victoria by hosting ‘Convicts V Pommies’ in Melbourne’s Telstra Dome. Clever thinking has gone into this organisation by state governments that want it. And I say that quote with care. It seems Western Australia didn’t care when it came to hosting games in Perth. Outbid by New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland to host even one single game, it left itself with nothing. And surprisingly, a stately broadsheet has the nerve to write an article moaning about how no games were to be staged on the other side of the country. How petty. If Western Australia had invested more money into a game, I’m pretty confident they would have got one.

And onto business, as it were. Below are all ten teams with a small prediction on how they will perform on the biggest stage, the Rugby League World Cup.

Australia
They are overwhelming favourites to retain their crown, first stolen from Great Britain in 1975. They have quality all over the squad, all the way down from fullback to loose forward. Their strength in depth is so immense; it would take one hell of a performance to knock these guys from their perch. Buts that’s not to say they are invincible. No team is and I’m sure the ghosts of 2005 are still ringing their ears, as is the nature of Australian sport and its ethics.
Prediction: Easily the best in the competition and will prove it by winning the final.

England
England have never won the World Cup as ‘England.’ Only as Great Britain, has the nation that invented this great sport ever won the World Cup, which is more times than our soccer counterparts. But for thirty three years we haven’t had a sniff. Neither has any other nation for that matter, but now I feel we have a good enough side to take on the Aussies. On our day (and that’s all it takes to win a World Cup) we are capable of being the best team in the world. For England to beat Australia, we have to play them down the middle and do so convincingly. That gives the weaker backline a chance to put the sword to the green and gold backline when they are on the back foot. Taking every single chance and scraping for every metre is also important.
Prediction: Have the potential to win, but may fall short again.

Fiji
Fiji have been quiet in their preparations for this World Cup. Little has been said or written about them and no doubt this has suited them enabling them to concentrate on their first game against France during the second week of the tournament. With experienced players like Jarryd Hayne, Ashton Sims and Semi Tadulala, they can pose a threat on form. But despite this, they lack any real experience to progress further in this competition.
Prediction: May win a game, will not win the group.

France
France take with them the majority of the Catalan first team. On that basis alone, with players coming into this World Cup on the back of a very good domestic season their confidence will be sky high. If Thomas Bosc performs like he did in Super League, he alone will carry the French into the semi finals.
Prediction: Will walk all over their group opponents, but will be challenged in the semi final qualifier.

Ireland
If Group A is the “Super Group”, then group c must be the group of death. Ireland qualified by beating Russia by more points than Lebanon did in qualifying. You honestly couldn’t split the nations further apart. But unfortunately Lebanon missed out having to perform in the repechage rounds. Had they beaten Samoa in Featherstone, we may have had another thrilling match between the two nations to look forward to. As it is, Ireland are up against it anyway. The majority of the side have only played in the National Leagues this season, while others haven’t played in NRL or Super League. There are of course a few Wiganers (Pat Richards, Eamon O’Carroll) and a few NRL types (Ryan Tandy).
Prediction: God help them. If the first game doesn’t knock them for six, the second one will.

New Zealand
Write off New Zealand at your peril. Last year they toured Great Britain with a starting thirteen on the treatment table on the other side of the world. This year, their stars (minus Sonny Bill Williams) are back to their best. Benji Marshall has only played four games for New Zealand since making his international debut in 2005 against Australia. He will prove to the world what he is capable of. Keeping him fit is essential to their success in this competition. Without him, New Zealand lose half of their quality immediately. Yes, they have Grand Finalists and senior, experienced players, but they don’t show the same threatening body language that a side with Benji Marshall will have. Take out Marshall, take out New Zealand.
Prediction: England are beatable, New Zealand are capable of making the final.

Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea go into this World Cup with nothing to lose. They are under no pressure to perform as they must face the prospect of being overwhelming underdogs in every single match against England, New Zealand and Australia. The rewards of upsetting just one of their three opponents are staggeringly high, with the repercussions of losing minimal. John Wilshire must captain a side that will be limited in first grade and international experience, while at the same time be motivated enough to put on a decent show.
Prediction: Potential banana skin for any side, but a single win would make their tournament a success.

Samoa
Samoa were the tenth and final team to qualify for this tournament but they may have side to become the fourth best by the end of it. They have named a squad with only five of their players playing outside the NRL or Super League. They may have a lack of strength in depth compared to their Tongan rivals, but they make up for that in quality for their starting seventeen. Powerhouses like Ali Lauititi, Kyle Luluai and Harrison Hansen can provide the go forward so that Francis Meli and Willie Talau can capitalise from.
Prediction: Biggest test against Tonga, but should have the aim of making the semi finals.

Scotland
Scotland represent a fine split between first and second grade players. Not taking anything away from the Scots, they have it all to do if they are to get out of their group with France and Fiji. Danny Brough, who was on fine form for Wakefield this year, must take that form into the World Cup if his team have any chance of progressing. Having never won a World Cup match before his tournament, the odds are well and truly in their favour. But with this being the strongest side Scotland have put together in a long time, will the factor of probability finally kick in?
Prediction: Will do well to win a game, but won’t progress further.

Tonga
With Ireland the potential whipping boys of group c, it looks likely the winner of the Halloween bloodbath between Tonga and Samoa will top the group. But winning that match will be no easy task despite the fact Tonga possesses the likes of Fraiser Anderson, Richard Fa’aoso, Michael Jennings and Fuifui Moimoi in their ranks. I have said from the beginning of the year, the Pacific Island clash could easily be the game of the year and I honestly cannot predict what will happen in the heat of the moment. Emotions will be high and drama will be intense. Make sure you don’t miss that game.
Prediction: If they were to top the group, they won’t get past their Qualifying Semi opponents.

So overall, how will the World Cup play out? Australia will retain their crown they have hung onto for over thirty years. I believe England will be the losing finalists, but don’t be surprised to see New Zealand lose out either. France should lose out to Australia in the first semi final, and if the Aussies’ 2000 semi final is anything to go by, that should be a good game to watch. Samoa will be the team to face France before losing out in the qualifying semi, while Tonga will finish second above Ireland in Group C. Group B will see France thrash Scotland and comfortably beat Fiji, who themselves will have a game on their hands against Scotland. Meanwhile poor old Papua New Guinea will lose out every time, but as long as they don’t beat England I will happily support them in their quest to upset New Zealand and Australia.

Now bear in mind I tipped Catalan to take the League Leader’s shield home with six super League games remaining, the above could turn out very differently. Here’s to a wonderfully competitive tournament, with the only controversy and focus seen on the field with drama and excitement that will grip all Rugby League fans alike.

World Cup update.

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Scotland and Ireland all announced their final 24-man squads yesterday with France naming theirs late last month. All ten nations that will take part in this years world cup have now named their squads that will compete in Australia. All squads from BBC and Official World Cup website.

France have picked the majority of the Catalan first team squad with others coming from Lezignan, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Pia, Villeneuve as well as Eric Anselme from Leeds and Julian Rinaldi who has left Harlequins. Fiji have also snapped up a few famous faces. Jarryd Hayne has managed to secure a place in their squad, along with Ashton Sims, Semi Tadulala and an old London Broncos favourite, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa. Scotland have snapped up four NRL players and eight Super League stars including Danny Brough. Paddy Coupar is the only Scottish based player in the squad.

Brett White will wear the emerald green of Ireland as he leads Stuart Littler, Pat Richards and Micheal Platt. Ross Barbour from the Carlaw Crusaders will also be present in the squad. Samoa have George Carmont, Ali Lauititi and the wing/centre partnership of Willie Talau and Francis Meli. If you thought that was a good squad, then throw in Nigel Vagana and Matt Utai for good measure. The squad that will take on Samoa on the 31st October (believe me, it will be a bloody Halloween) is Tonga. They call upon the two Anderson brothers, Frasier and Louis with Richard Fa'aoso, Fuifui Moimoi and Michael Jennings. An early tip, miss that match at your peril. Two Pacific nations who will go toe to toe and not back down.

And in other news, Anthony Tupou has been called into the Austrlaian squad to replace Michael Crocker who suffered a broken rib in Sunday's NRL Grand Final. Tupou was due to line up for Tonga but as ever the "strict eligability rules" that are issued in Rugby League mean he can play for both nations.

As far as I'm aware Papa New Guinea are yet to announce a squad that will take on New Zealand and Australia, starting with England on the 25th October in Townsville.

Calderwood for the English left wing? I don’t think so.

Mark Calderwood had the game of his life on Friday. Watched on by Tony Smith, he kept Wigan in the game time and time again when Leeds seemed to have got one over them. Jamie Jones-Buchanan was denied in the corner thanks to Calderwood, as was Burrow, in a situation that has seen the little scrum half score from countless times before. And with Gareth Raynor out of the world cup with a toe injury, it seems the left wing shirt is up for grabs.

Peter Fox would seem the likely candidate. He made his international debut against France in this seasons international against France. However, despite Fox being the favourite Lee Smith is also a worthy candidate. But some pundits are now saying Calderwood should be within a shout. And in all fairness, they couldn’t be more wrong.

On Friday, Calderwood showed what he could do at the top of his game. In my opinion he was man of the match despite being on the losing side. No single player in a Leeds shirt outplayed him, but was let down by a second best forward pack in the cherry and white. But despite his heroics at Headingley, I don’t think he has shown enough of the same throughout the season to warrant himself a place in the starting seventeen against Papa New Guinea. Smith will no doubt feel the same. Smith, in his second year as the national team coach, has come across as a coach who is after quality and consistency in all of his players. Calderwood has not shown that this season.

All of this speculation is despite Calderwood being named in the Scotland squad via his grand parentage. Well good luck to him in the Scottish thistle, but if he were to be included in the England squad I have no doubt his selection would be a waste.

EDIT 29/9/08: Tony Smith has said previuously he will only pick players who are on form for the international side. However he has failed to mention if this is good form, bad form or previous season's form.

Scotland to brave Fiji and France.

Danny Brough will captain the side that beat Wales over two games to put Scotland through into this world cup, which is only fifty four days away from commencing. With Georgia being disqualified after failing to field a team in the final European B group, only Russia went through into the European A, Pool 2 with Lebanon and Ireland. Therefore the Pool 1 ties between the Scots and the Welsh would be similar to a two legged affair with the points difference being important into the outcome of the group winners. As it was, Scotland shocked a dominant Welsh side on paper in Bridgend to win the first match by seven points. Wales, led by Lee Briers and Iestyn Harris, could only win by two points in the return game up in Glasgow meaning Scotland qualified automatically.

Steve McCormack submitted his preliminary man squad to World Cup chiefs in time of the deadline, but within the past few days it has only been released to the general public. With seventeen first grade NRL or Super League players (including Mark Calderwood) the squad looks like thus;

Chris Armit, Nathan Armit (both Canterbury Bulldogs), Kier Bell (London Skolars), Jamie Benn (unattached), Danny Brough (Wakefield, capt), Mark Calderwood (Wigan), Paddy Coupar (Edinburgh Eagles), John Duffy (Widnes), Ben Fisher (Hull KR), Keith Galloway (Wests Tigers), Daniel Heckenberg (Harlequins), Andrew Henderson (Castleford), Kevin Henderson (Wakefield), Ian Henderson (NZ Warriors), Graeme Horne (Hull), Jack Howieson (Sheffield), Paul Jackson (Huddersfield), Wade Liddell (Brisbane Easts), Scott Logan (Canberra Raiders), Rhys Lovegrove (Hull KR), Neil Lowe (Keighley), David Lynn (Edinburgh Eagles), Iain Marsh (Workington), David McConnell (Leigh), Duncan McGilvary (Wakefield), Dene Miller (London Skolars), Spencer Miller (Whitehaven), Iain Morrison (Widnes), Gareth Morton (Widnes), Mick Nanyn (Oldham), Lee Paterson (Widnes), Michael Robertson (Manly), Iain Sinfield (Oldham), Jamie Smith (Fife Lions), Jonathan Steel (Hull KR), Alex Szostack (Sheffield), Andy Todd (Edinburgh Eagles), Matthew Tunstall (Workington), Tom Wild (Rochdale), Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield).

Scotland has a small but proud history in Rugby League despite never having a full time professional club. Dave Valentine, captain of the successful 1954 wining Great Britain side, was obviously the first man to lift the trophy at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. The domestic competition was indeed an individual competition until it was placed under the Rugby League Conference umbrella from 2006. Fife Lions and Edinburgh Eagles have both won the title but before the division became part of the RLC, the Scottish Rugby League Conference was participated from 1997 where Edinburgh took the title four times.

Scotland face an uphill struggle if they are to progress into the semi finals. I feel they are more than capable of taking on Fiji at Bluetongue Stadium, but France will be a whole different kettle of frogs. France's performance against England earlier this year showed promise but also exposed flaws in the team that Steve McCormack is able to identify. Providing they expose these weaknesses and play tactically they can beat France as well as beating Fiji and as a miniumum target, they can make the Semi Final Qualifier.