Student Coupar on a learning experience

Published on Friday 24 October 2008 00:09

PADDY Coupar has capped an amazing few months by becoming the only Scottish-based player in the Rugby League World Cup.

The 22-year-old only started playing the sport three years ago, but now finds himself amongst some of the world's stars at the tournament kicks off in Sydney tomorrow afternoon. The Napier University student plays for Edinburgh Eagles, who were crowned the Scottish Conference champions back in August, and though he has not made the starting line-up for Sunday's opening match with France he told The Scotsman before he left that he was thrilled to be involved at all.

He said: "I was absolutely delighted to make the World Cup squad given that I am uncapped – I am glad all my hard work has paid off. I am sure the event will be a big step up from the University World Cup (held in Australia in June when Paddy was skipper], but I'm going out there to learn and hopefully play my part."

Coupar, whose brother Matt plays union for Edinburgh Accies and is a Scotland Sevens internationalist, started in the 15-a-side game with his hometown team Blairgowie while at school. When he moved to Edinburgh to study, he joined Edinburgh Accies and tried League at Napier.

"I joined the rugby league club at university and really enjoyed it," he explained. "We are the only Scottish university who plays and we compete well with English sides. I have made a lot of good friends at the club and seen some guys go onto get full caps – I'm striving to do the same."

Indeed, it was watching teammates David Lynn and Andrew Todd help Scotland to qualify for this World Cup by beating Wales two years ago that focused Coupar's mind on securing a Scotland cap. He has worked his was up through the students side and Scotland 'A' to reach this point and is now aiming to take his chance with both hands.

The half-back/centre, who has been training with Workington to gain experience, explained: "This means a lot to my family, friends and girlfriend and my mum texted me when she heard I'd been picked to say she had a tear in her eye. Unfortunately, they can't make it out to Australia to watch, but I'm be looking to learn from the professional members of the squad and do myself proud.."

Scotland (v France at Canberra Stadium on Sunday; 6.25am GMT live on Sky): M Robertson (Manly); D Colton (Doncaster), G Cowan (Wests Tigers), K Henderson (Wakefield), J Steel (Hull KR); J Duffy (Widnes), D Brough (Wakefield, capt); S Logan (Canberra), I Henderson (New Zealand Warriors), P Jackson (Huddersfield), I Morrison (Widnes), D MacGillivray (Wakefield), L Patterson (Widnes). Subs: O Wilkes (Wakefield), C Armit (Canterbury), M Nanyn (Oldham), A Henderson (Castleford).