In a League of their own

Mention Rugby League to most Scots, and you will be met with a confused look and no small amount of stammering. The oval ball game has traditionally been dominated by the Union code north of the border, but Scotland’s best have been doing their country proud, as their recent 104-0 demolition of Italy shows. The Bravehearts will take on Lebanon this coming Sunday in the rugbyleague.com European Cup, looking to secure their place in the inaugural final of the six-team competition.

The emergence of a strong Rugby League programme at Edinburgh Napier University has been one of the keys in the development of the sport at senior levels in Scotland. Two recent Napier graduates will be among the Scots this Saturday, and both Paddy Coupar and John Cox performed admirably in the huge victory over the Italians.

“Both Paddy and John coped excellently with the step up in pace and level that comes as you move into International competition,” said Edinburgh Napier and Scotland ‘A’ Head Coach Angus McNab. “It was especially pleasing to see John get a try on his debut [versus Italy], and his physicality was also hugely
impressive”.

Paddy Coupar is undoubtedly one of the real triumphs for a Napier Rugby League programme that is among the strongest in Great Britain. Coupar, who represented Scotland in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia, and now plays professionally for Workington Town, is the perfect example of the rewards of hard work and perseverance.

“Paddy is the big success story of Napier Rugby League” said Angus McNab. “His performances in Australia earned him a lot of recognition, and he had interest in his services from a few other teams before eventually signing with Workington. Going from parks to the professional game in only a few years is testament to Paddy’s work ethic, which is quite unbelievable”.

It is this type of work ethic, and the example set by players like Coupar and Cox, that drives the current Napier squad. The arrival of McNab as coach in 2006 was the catalyst for a change in approach at Meggetland, with the players themselves taking on more responsibility for their physical conditioning, along with McNab’s introduction of a more structured approach to the game, paying major dividends for the Club, as the coach has been telling The Journal.

“Back in 2007, we all sat down and had a meeting about where we wanted to go with the team. Since then, we’ve introduced a serious coaching structure to the Club, and more importantly a very structured approach to the tactical side of the game, which is so important in Rugby League.”

“We’ve had a lot of success with this approach, with quite a few Scottish Students and Scotland ‘A’ Caps having been earned by our players. New players coming to the Club see the successes enjoyed by their team mates in gaining International recognition, and become that bit more determined to get in there themselves, which obviously spurs them on”.

And what of the current Napier side? Can any of them have any hopes of following in the footsteps of Andy Todd and Dave Lynn, the first Napier players to make the grade at Senior International level? Of the current team, Hooker Gyles Lomax is among the top prospects, although he does face a lot of strong competition for a position in this vital area of the pitch.

“Gyles is someone who might have made his debut before now, had it not been for the high calibre of the other Hookers in the squad. He is competing with guys who play in the Super League, who have that bit more experience of high level play that Gyles is lacking just now. He is a very talented player, though, and a great prospect for the future.”

With Lebanon due to take on Italy the week before they travel to Glasgow, the Scottish Coaching staff will have a good indication of the level of team they will face. McNab, though, expects the Lebanese to pose a greater threat to the home team than did the under strength Italians two week ago.

“We expect Lebanon to have a strong and talented squad. There is a huge Lebanese community around Sydney, which is really the heartland of Rugby League, and so we expect to hear a lot of Australian accents, and to face more than a few NRL players this weekend.”

The Scots will welcome Ian Morrison back to the fold this weekend, with the physical and at times under-rated former Scotland Rugby Union U19 Cap having missed the match in Italy due to his wedding, while Gateshead Thunder captain, Andrew Henderson, will tie the Scottish Caps record if selected on Saturday. Coach Angus McNab is hoping for a big turn out for Saturday’s match in Glasgow, which is also live on Sky Sports, and he is certain that everyone in attendance will see a totally committed Scottish side giving their all for their country.

“When our lads pull on that Scotland shirt, we see them gain an extra yard in pace; grow an extra few inches in height; and that little extra bit of strength that they never knew they had. International representation is the pinnacle of any sport, and for any sportsman, and it’s no different for our guys.”