Scotland’s best amateurs preparing for Yorkshire challenge
The Scotland amateur national side, the Scotland Club XIII, is readying itself to face some stern challenges from English opposition this summer.
The team, which consists of the best players of the Scotland National League sides, will play a West Yorkshire Select XIII at Siddal in Halifax this Saturday at 4pm.
The squad includes full Scotland internationalist Craig Borthwick of Edinburgh Eagles, who made a try-scoring debut in 2012 against Ireland.
Also included is highly rated 16-year-old prop Craig ‘Junior’ Strachan, of whom Scotland coach Craig Parslow is expecting some good performances.
“Craig has played in some very physical games this season at prop against the current British Army Champions the Royal Engineers and against the British Army 1st XIII in Aberdeen,” said Parslow.
“And Fraser has made a big impact in the game and proven to be a handful on the park with some very educated footwork and ferocity on the field which has earned him his position.”
Parslow is also pleased that the team have found some fixtures, and that they will be testing games south of the Border.
“We are extremely grateful for all the clubs that have managed to work with us in obtaining some fixtures and I have to admit it’s not been an easy task,” he added.
“What is great to see is this year we are really trying to push our home-grown players and give them some experiences that they won’t get at club level and we all know playing for the blue jersey makes you step your game up.”
SCOTLAND CLUB XIII SQUAD:
Aaron Robertson, Calum Ruxton, Carwyn Walker, Craig Robertson, Craig Strachan, David Spivey, Dominic Wallen, Gary Adams, John James McNair, Jonny Gray, Kyle Matheson, Stuart Barlow, Stuart Fee (all Aberdeen Warriors); Craig Borthwick, Colin Jarvis, Lewis Clark (all Edinburgh Eagles); Iain Allen, Sam Herron (both Easterhouse Panthers); Fraser McKay, Paul Stewart-Beckett (both Strathmore Silverbacks)
Scotland Club XIII fixtures:
Saturday 25th July 1600 KO v West Yorkshire Select at Siddal Rugby Club, Halifax
Friday 28th August 1800 KO v South West London Chargers at London Skolars
Saturday 12th September KO and Venue TBC v British Army Vets
Friday 9th October KO TBC v Wigan St Pats, Harper Street, Wigan.