European Cup: Wales v Scotland
Venue: Brewery Field, Bridgend Date: Sun, 8 November KO: 1600 GMT Coverage: Live on Sky Sports 3
 Former Widnes coach McCormack is wary of the Welsh crowd |
Scotland head coach Steve McCormack believes his side must raise their game to a new level to win their European Cup final against Wales on Sunday. "We've got this far, which is a massive achievement, but we know it's going to be very difficult," said McCormack ahead of Scotland's first senior final. "We know we have to play better than we did in the last two games to triumph." Scotland and Wales, who meet at Brewery Field in Bridgend, are both undefeated in the group stages of the competition. Scotland demolished Italy 104-0 and beat Lebanon 22-10, while Wales beat Serbia 88-8 and defeated Ireland 42-12. "Wales are a very good side - especially having seen them beat Ireland like they did last week - and they will have a very vocal crowd at Brewery Field," added McCormack.  | It's going to be a tough, physical game |
Scotland stand-off Brendon Lindsay backed his team-mates to respond to McCormack's demand for improvement. "It'll be tough. Wales look very well drilled, have a lot of Crusaders players and they are at home," said Lindsay. "But the mood is good in the squad. We can play a lot better and we'll be going all out to win." Ian Watson, who made his Welsh debut against the United States in 1995, will make his 26th senior appearance if selected by head coach Iestyn Harris - level with Jim Sullivan's all-time record - while Jordan James is in line for his 17th consecutive appearance, equalling another record. "I love playing for Wales and I hope I've got a few more years left in me," said James. "Sunday against Scotland will be a really good game. I've a feeling it's going to be a tough, physical one, but if we stick to Iestyn's game-plan then we'll come out on top."
Wales (from): Matt Barron (Gateshead Thunder), Ashley Bateman (Celtic Crusaders), Chris Beasley (Celtic Crusaders), Neil Budworth (Celtic Crusaders), Geraint Davies (Celtic Crusaders), Ross Divorty (Featherstone Rovers), Gil Dudson (Celtic Crusaders), Ben Flower (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Griffiths (Leeds Met), Jordan James (Celtic Crusaders), Elliot Kear (Celtic Crusaders), Lewis Mills (Celtic Crusaders), Christiaan Roets (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Matt Thomas (London Skolars), Ross Wardle (Celtic Crusaders), Ian Watson (Leigh Centurions), Ian Webster (Central Comets), Lloyd White (Celtic Crusaders), Lee Williams (Celtic Crusaders), Rhys Williams (Warrington Wolves). Scotland (from): Jamie Benn (Castleford Panthers), John Steele (Featherstone Rovers), Kevin Henderson (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), Mick Nanyn (Leigh Centurions), James Nixon (Barrow Raiders), Brendon Lindsay (Sheffield Eagles), Gareth Moore (Gateshead Thunder), Mitch Stringer (Sheffield Eagles), Neil Lowe (Hunslet Hawks), Richard Fletcher (Whitehaven), Alex Szostak (Sheffield Eagles), Lee Paterson (Widnes Vikings), Paddy Coupar (Workington Town), John Cox (Edinburgh Eagles), Andrew Henderson (Gateshead Thunder), Dave Arnott (Scotland Students), Mark Dack (Gateshead Thunder), Rob Lunt (Workington Town), John Duffy (Widnes Vikings), Iain Morrison (Widnes Vikings).
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