New Scotland A team coach Gus McNab has announced a 29-man squad for the campaign, including nine members of his Scotland Students side who played in the European Championships at Widnes at Easter, beating Wales in their final game.
Loose forward Pat Coupar, centre Richard Knight, hooker Scott Porteous, winger Rob Sloman, second- row Steve Gilroy, half-back Giles Lomax and former Gateshead Storm hooker Dave Vernon are all new to the A team set-up, while David Lynn and Barry Earl have seen action sat this level before, Earl outstanding before injury last summer. Fife’s Kiwi Blair Skipper, Ewan O’Donnell, Paul Kelly, Greg Wallace and Graeme Fisher are among the other new faces.
Twelve players are retained from last year’s A team squad, that lost narrowly at home to Wales: Tom Wild, Andy Todd, Al Stewart, James Mackay, Ash Carroll, David Birchall, John MacDonald, Kevin Lang, Ian Gilmour, John Cox, Fraser Stirling and Earl. Huddersfield stand-off Michael Murphy, who spent last season in France with Birchall at Bordeaux, Fife Lions prop Gareth McColl and Mike Wallace all have senior amateur international experience.
Three players from last year’s A team squad are no longer eligible: Ritchie Hawkyard is now playing in Super League wioth Bradford Bulls while Jamie Benn and Dene Miller are playing semi-pro in NL2 with Featherstone Rovers and London Skolars respectively.
Scotland go on to play England Lionhearts at Gateshead on 14 July and finish their campaign at home to Ireland in Glasgow on 18 August.
SCOTLAND A: Pat Coupar, Richard Knight, Scott Porteous, Rob Sloman, Steve Gilroy, Giles Lomax, Dave Vernon, David Lynn, Barry Earl, Blair Skipper, Ewan O’Donnell, Paul Kelly, Greg Wallace, Graeme Fisher, Tom Wild, Andy Todd, Al Stewart, James Mackay, Ash Carroll, David Birchall, John MacDonald, Kevin Lang, Ian Gilmour, John Cox, Fraser Stirling, Michael Murphy, Gareth McColl, Mike Wallace.
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