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THREE MORE NATIONS ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN CUP SQUADS

Sunday 27th September 2009

Lebanon, Wales and Serbia having announced their train-on squads for the upcoming rugbyleague.com European Cup earlier in the week, the three other competing nations; Italy, Scotland and Ireland have now revealed theirs. 

Significant interest has centered on the Italians who make their representative debut at this level having won the European Shield for the past two years.

Their squad includes a number of stars from their domestic competition along with some more familiar names, although Bradford Bulls’ Chris Nero has had to withdraw due to needing surgery.

Exciting half back Dominic Brambani, who starred with Castleford and Halifax before a successful spell with Sheffield is included after he spent this season playing on the Gold Coast.

Former Keighley Cougar Marco Ferrazzano has been a stand out for the Azzuri over the past couple of seasons and Chris Borgese, who interested Salford, is also included along with experienced campaigner Paul Franze and former Workington back Franco Kmet.

ITALY

SCOTLAND coach Steve McComack is relying heavily on the squad that won the Bravehearts a first ever World Cup victory, over eventual semi-finalists Fiji, in last autumn’s World Cup.

Among the newcomers are Barrow’s flying winger James Nixon, the leading try scorer in the Co-operative Championship this season with 29 touchdowns.

Two Sheffield Eagles, half back Brendon Lindsay who made the Championship ‘All Stars’ line up and Mitchell Stringer are included for the first time, bringing the contingent from the South Yorkshire club to four.

At the other end of the experience scale, there are call ups for Scotland Student Dave Arnott and John Cox from Scottish Conference Champions Edinburgh Eagles.

IRELAND supremo Andy Kelly has hailed his new-look squad, while also looking to build on the success of the Wolfhounds in the World Cup, where they made the play off for the semi final and won a host of friends.

“In naming the 28 man training squad it represents a new dawn for RLI” Kelly commented. “Following on from our very successful World Cup in 2008 we have looked at bringing a number of the younger players who have been pushing for inclusion. The selection has been interesting especially if you consider the injured players not on the list such as Damien Blanch and Simon Finnigan.”

Among those who receive a first call up are Warrington sensation Tyrone McCarthy who gained a winners’ medal in the Carnegie Challenge Cup, Leeds Rhinos prop Luke Ambler, Harlequins’ Jason Golden and Barrow’s influential half back James Coyle.

IRELAND

rugbyleague.com European Cup Fixtures:

Round 1

Saturday 17/10/09, Stadio Del Plebiscito, Padova            - Italy V Scotland           

KO: 15.00 

Sunday 18/10/09, Tullamore RUFC, Tullamore                - Ireland V Serbia

KO: 14.30

Round 2

Saturday 24/10/09, Tripoli Olympic Stadium, Tripoli         - Lebanon V Italy

KO: 20.000

Sunday 25/10/09, FK Smedervo Stadium, Smederevo    - Serbia V Wales              

KO: 14.00

Round 3

Sunday 1/11/09, Hughenden, Glasgow       - Scotland V Lebanon              

KO: 15.00

Sunday 1/11/09, Pontypridd RUFC, Pontypridd       - Wales V Ireland

KO: 17.00

FINALS DAY:

Sunday 08/11/09, Celtic Crusaders RL, Brewery Field, Bridgend,

3rd v 3rd KO: 11.00

2nd v 2nd KO: 13.30

1st v 1st KO: 16.00