Vikings’ great Scots get World Cup calls

Oct 8 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

STEVE McCormack has included six of his Vikings players from past or present in the 24-man Scotland squad for the World Cup in Australia.

John Duffy, Iain Morrison and Lee Paterson are joined by Stobart Stadium old boys Gareth Morton, Mick Nanyn and Oliver Wilkes.

“I am very happy with the make-up of the squad as we have a great degree of versatility in there which will be needed with at least three games in relatively quick succession,” said head coach McCormack, who has named Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ Danny Brough as captain.

“There is no doubt that we are the underdogs in our group but we are quietly confident that as always our pride and spirit will shine through in our performance.

“We also have an outstanding leader in Danny Brough, who I believe will show the world of rugby league exactly what he can do on this, the biggest stage of all.

McCormack added: “We are strengthened by the inclusion of some established NRL performers who were keen to play from the outset but who also recognised our policy of rewarding those that played in qualifying and it is disappointing that for many reasons so many were not able to put themselves forward.

“The challenge for us is perhaps different to that which England face yet this is our opportunity to put Scotland and ourselves on the world stage and I know that everyone involved on the staff, playing, volunteer and officials front will be doing their utmost for the cause.”

The Scotland team will be based in Sydney for the first four days of their World Cup before going into training camp in Canberra ahead of the game against France on Sunday, October 26 (ticket details on www.rlwc08.com )