Scotland and Ireland Set for Wheelchair Rugby League International

Scotland and Ireland have officially announced their squads for an upcoming wheelchair rugby league international match scheduled for October 7, 2023. The event will take place at the Oriam Performance Centre in Edinburgh, starting at 13:00 local time.

Squad Highlights and Coaching Perspectives

Scotland’s head coach, Martyn Gill, may offer debuts to players Max Owen of the London Roosters and Bradley Gleave from Rochdale Hornets. Gill emphasized the significance of this match as part of a broader strategy, stating, “This is a transformational, rebuilding year for us – a chance to lay the foundations for the future.” His approach aims to foster growth and development within the Scottish squad.

In contrast, Ireland arrives with momentum after winning the Celtic Cup earlier this year. Coach Phil Roberts has included 17-year-old Cormac Downey, who will also make his senior debut in this match. Roberts expressed a clear vision for the team, noting, “As always, our goal is improvement. We have challenged the group with some ambitious targets and if we achieve those, our performance will take care of itself.”

Match Day Schedule and Player Lineups

The international clash will be preceded by an ‘A team’ match featuring the second-string squads of both nations, set to kick off at 11:00. This earlier fixture provides an opportunity for emerging talent to showcase their skills.

The squad members listed for Scotland include:

• Calum Davidson
• Sarah Devlin
• Hamish Douglas
• Olivia Fulton
• Bradley Gleave
• David Hill
• Calum Japes
• Max Owen
• Mark Robertson
• John Willans

Representing Ireland are:

• Toby Burton-Carter
• Joseph Calcott
• Cormac Downey
• Mel Griffith
• Cian Horgan
• Peter Johnston
• Tom Martin
• Oran Spain

As anticipation builds for this match, both teams are focused on delivering excellent performances that align with their respective goals for growth and improvement in the sport.