Rugby: Eagles eye more glory

Published on Saturday 14 February 2009 10:19

EDINBURGH EAGLES rugby league boss Angus McNab believes the Six Nations rugby union championship can come to the aid of his side when they bid to make further Carnegie Challenge Cup history tomorrow.

Union Park-based Eagles face Leeds Carnegie University, where they will try and enhance their distinction of being the only Scottish team to make it through the first round.

And McNab says: "When we won away to the RAF we had to do so with several players who'd been playing 24 hours earlier for Scottish rugby union clubs which wasn't ideal.

"However, with the union international taking place between France and Scotland in Paris, most of the top-flight club programme has been cancelled which should hopefully leave some of our players a bit fresher."

Among those with 15-a-side Premiership experience are John Cox, Andy Todd, Andy Grodynski and John Macdonald (all Currie) and the Peebles quartet of David and Donald Anderson, Craig Borthwick and Craig Hunter.

McNab added: "We will need to be at our very best because Carnegie University are the reigning British student champions and have provided around 80 per cent of the England student team for the past few years."

Incentives abound, though, including trying to earn a third round tie with Widnes who will enter the competition at this stage under the guidance of Scotland coach Steve McCormick.

Eagles, who make one change with the experienced Barry Earl returning for Mike Wallace after the interchange forward slipped on ice and damaged a knee cartilage, are also aiming to give a big send-off to one of the star players. Hooker Euan Rose will leave soon after to join Australian club side Temora Dragons in the NSW leagues. Rose says: "I just hope to sign off with a win. After the student World Cup in Australia I can't wait to get back over there for a great opportunity to improve as a player and experience a different lifestyle."

Meanwhile, skipper Andy Todd insists Eagles will not just be content to make up the numbers.

"We are certainly pleased to get this far but if we enter the game happy with just being there we will not progress," he said.

"I know the lads want to go further and the possibility of a draw against a professional side is the biggest incentive – it would be right up there with the biggest achievements in Scotland rugby league history."

Front rower Jon Cox added: "Our win at the RAF was the best result we have achieved but this would surpass it."

Edinburgh Eagles squad: Nick Broere, Craig Hunter, Donald Anderson, Craig Borthwick, Andy Todd, Giles Lomax, Andy Grodynski, Ash Carroll, Euan Rose, John Cox, Barry Earl, Richard Knight, David Simm, David Anderson, Paul Stewart, Matt Seddon, John Macdonald.