Scotland 9s squad heavy on homegrown talent
Scotland‘s Commonwealth Games squad is drawn from a gepgraphically wide-ranging group of players, with six home-based players in the party.
The youngsters at Super League academies will be supplemented by two players from Edinburgh Eagles, two from Ayrshire Storm and two from local club Easterhouse Panthers.
“By definition it’s a young squad as it’s an Under-19 comp, but only five of the lads have played for Scotland before, so that will be a challenge for the newcomers but an exciting one,” said Scotland coach John Duffy.
“We were pleasantly surprised at the standard of some of the players at the two trials we had. It’s enabled us to put together what looks like a decent squad and I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can do.”
The SRL makes a point of drawing on the Scottish diaspora in England to supplement its ongoing development work in Scotland.
Trialists from every club in Scotland attended trials in Edinburgh, while increasing numbers of heritage players are being uncovered too.
“Some lads travelled 500 miles to come to a trial,” Duffy added.
“They came up from Surrey and Kent and down from Cumbria and Newcastle to our trial at Bolton last week.
“That shows the commitment our players have. They are very proud to represent their country and their parents’ country.”
Scotland are in Group A of the Commonwealth 9s, and they will face Wales, Jamaica and Australia as opposition.
Scotland squad: Billy Holden (Accrington), William Black, Conor Turnball (both Ayrshire Storm), Jack Feeney, Kieran Wyber (both Easterhouse Panthers), Lewis Clarke, Finn Murphy (both Edinburgh Eagles), Kieron Crook (Guildford Giants), Jack Stewart (Hull KR), Harvey Burnett, Richard Harris (both London Broncos), Oliver Murray (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Shane Toal (Ulverston), James Jones (Warrington Wolves), Alex Jobson (Waterhead).
