Scots ready for niggly France claims Wardle
Scotland centre Joe Wardle believes that his team can make history on Saturday, by beating France and winning their first European Championship.
A win or draw would see the Scots claim silverware, as well as a place in the 2016 Four Nations tournament.
The Huddersfield man is ot underestimating the scale of the challenge when it comes to playing France, however.
“We can do it, definitely,” he said.
““I think France will be similar to the Ireland game rather than the Wales one. They’re quite a niggley side so we’ll have to get stuck in and keep with them, try to break them down and get on top eventually.
“If we play like we did in Ireland in the second half, be patient, we are with a chance.
“We made it really hard work for ourselves in the first half against Ireland with knock-ons and so many penalties for offside, but, credit to the boys, we dug deep and our ‘D’ was really good.
“I always thought we’d get the breakthrough and we believe in our defence. In international games you’ve got to keep to your structure, keep playing, and turn them over in the corner.”
Wardle returned to representing Scotland this autumn for the first time since 2010. Injury and a spell with the England Knights were responsible for his absence.
Now he is looking forward to making up for lost time by hopefully bringing Scotland some tangible success.
“Winning the European Championship would be outstanding, an amazing achievement for Scotland and give us the chance to play against England, Australia and New Zealand (in the 2016 Four Nations),” he added.
“We can do the country proud. Everyone will love it.
“It’s outstanding being back playing for Scotland again. I love it – we have such a good laugh and we’ve got a great team.
“Winning the Europeans would almost make up for missing the World Cup last year.”
An injury means Brett Phillips will be missing for Scotland on Friday, but his place is taken by London Broncos centre Harvey Burnett, who impressed in the Commonwealth 9s earlier this year.
Leigh prop Jonathan Walker also returns to the squad following suspension.
SCOTLAND SQUAD:
(to be reduced to 17) Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls), Josh Barlow (Swinton Lions), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), Harvey Burnett (London Broncos), Lewis Clarke (Edinburgh Eagles), Sonny Esslemont (Hull KR), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers), Alex Hurst (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Ben Kavanagh (Widnes Vikings), Corbyn Kilday (Wakefield Trinity), Nathan Massey (Canterbury Bulldogs), Finn Murphy (Edinburgh Eagles), Callum Phillips (Workington Town), Gregor Ramsay (Easterhouse Panthers), David Scott (Doncaster), Louis Senter (Halifax), Oscar Thomas (London Broncos), Adam Walker (Hull KR), Jonathan Walker (Leigh), Joe Wardle (Huddersfield Giants). Stand-by: Joe McLean (Uni of Gloucs All Golds), Alex Walker (London Broncos).