Rugby: Prizewinner Cox happy to switch codes

RUGBY all-rounder John Cox has started the new year as a prizewinner – with high hopes of more to come in 2010.

No sooner had the bells died away, Scottish Rugby League announced their annual roll of honour which again had Cox – who combines playing with Currie in the Rugby Union Premiership with Edinburgh Eagles at 13-a-side – to the fore.

Just as in 2009 Cox, was nominated as Scotland A player of the year although this time it is shared with London Skolars winger Dave Arnot.

Cox, in acknowledging a potentially action-packed start to 2010, said: "Getting my first three senior caps with the Scotland rugby league side was a major highlight and this latest award is a real boost as I try to build on that.

"However, I've always edged towards making a bigger mark in rugby union which is why initially I was reluctant to captain Scotland A and nothing will deflect me from combining both codes and trying to help Currie capture the Premiership title at the same time as assisting Eagles in our quest to do even better in the 2010 Challenge Cup."

The two challenges could shortly coincide as Currie are due to face Edinburgh Accies on Saturday, 23 January just 24 hours before the Eagles carry the flag as Scottish champions into the Challenge Cup first round at Gloucester University.

Prop forward Cox added: "No matter how many bumps and bruises I'm carrying from the Accies game, if selected, I'll be heading down to Gloucester straight afterwards.

"I took a bit of stick from Currie's coaches for doing a similar thing last year after we'd lost at Hawick in the Premiership but I know I am able to focus 100 per cent on each code in taking the matches as they come along so there was no question of my mind not being on Rugby Union when it had to be.

"Eagles got through our opening Challenge Cup tie at Wolverhampton and then just lost out to Leeds Carnegie University who were effectively part of the super-league Rhinos academy side so our standards are improving.

"The aim is to get through a couple of rounds this time and as for Currie we are ready to get our title bid (they currently lead the table] back on the road at home to Boroughmuir on Saturday."

Cox's award has seen tributes led by Gus McNab, the Scotland A manager, who said: "John was outstanding throughout 2009 and was fully deserving of his full pro debut and kept his place in the team for the rest of the European Cup. His leadership of the Scotland A side was fantastic."