Hendry named Scotland Captain

Workington Town forward Bryan Hendry, from Ardrossan, has been named captain of Scotland for Friday?s opening game in the European Under-19s Rugby League Championships against Wales in Aberavon. London Skolars? Keir Bell, formerly with London Broncos, is vice captain. Hendry trained with the full Scotland squad ahead of last November?s European Nations Cup clash with Ireland at Old Anniesland before signing for Workington where he has already played against Leeds Rhinos in the Powergen Challenge Cup.

The Scots, who will be coached by Al Stewart and managed by Kov Bahadori ? both Scotland A internationals ? are expected to challenge for the title in South Wales, having gone close last year in Glasgow. With Scotsman Jimmy Glover ? the former British Army coach - becoming Stewart?s assistant, Scotland have a potentially winning combination of passion, youth and experience.

?We think we?re a good outside bet for the Championship,? says coach Stewart, who came through the Scotland Students set up himself. ?At the recent training camp at Cockermouth in Cumbria, the squad both put the work in and played extremely hard. The coaching team expect this crop of young players to be around on the Scotland Rugby League scene for a long time, not only with the Under 19s and Students but also on to bigger and better things.?

Scotland Under-19s squad;

CALLUM ANDERSON ? Peebles High School

DONALD ANDERSON ? Peebles High School

LIAM ANDREWS ? City of Sunderland College

BOBBY BAHADORI ? Greenhead College, Huddersfield

KARL BEARDSHAW ? Hull College

KEIR BELL ? Middlesex University ANDY BOAG ? Glasgow Bulls RICHARD BROWN ? Anniesland College, Glasgow

LIAM CAMPBELL ? Sellafield College, Whitehaven

STEPHEN DAWES ? Lakes College, Cumbria

DOUGLAS FLOCKHART ? Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh

ANDY GRAY ? Gosta Training College, Glasgow

BRYAN HENDRY ? Murrayhouse Institute of Sport, Edinburgh

IAIN LANE ? Carshalton College, London

ALISTAIR LEIGHTON-SCOTT ? De Montfort University, Leicester

MARTYN LOWE ? Runshaw Collage, Leyland

BRIAN MALONE ? Lancaster and Morecambe Collage

ROSS MARSHALL ? Arran High School

GARY THORNTON ? Earnock High School, Hamilton

LIAM WILD ? Lakes College, Cumbria

JAMES WHITE - Peebles High School

ANDREW WORMALD ? Priesthorpe School, Leeds

SCOTLAND U19s EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE Friday 9 April: 2.30pm ? v WALES in Aberavon Sunday 11 April: 2.30pm ? v ENGLAND venue TBC

Tuesday 13 April: 5pm ? v FRANCE in Swansea

- David Anderson and Keir Bell both played in the first Scotland Under-19 fixture against France two years ago

- Scotland lost to England and beat Wales in the inaugural Under-19 Championships in 2002 (in Cheshire) and beat Wales but lost to England North & West and South & East last year in Glasgow.

- The players in the squad have been gathered from all over the UK with 11 from seven different Scottish schools/colleges and 11 from 10 different English educational establishments.

- Peebles High Schools brothers Callum and Donald Anderson are in the squad with elder brother David in the Students squad for the Student Home Nations tournament running concurrently.

SCOTLAND Under 19s detailed Pen Pics;

CALLUM ANDERSON ? Peebles High School Position: Centre, Wing, Full Back.

Younger brother of Donald and David (Scotland Students). On last year?s tour to Serbia, Holland and Italy he was a stand out player and a great rugby future beckons.

DONALD ANDERSON ? Peebles High School Position: Full Back.

Donald has been involved for three seasons now and last year made his ?A? international debut against Wales. A classy runner, comfortable in any position in the back line, already a seasoned campaigner!

LIAM ANDREWS ? City of Sunderland College Position: Wing.

Newcomer Liam is a gritty, hardworking customer who resides and plays in the Gateshead area.

BOBBY BAHADORI ? Greenhead College, Huddersfield Position: Scrum Half, Hooker.

Bobby has the potential to become team comic? great things are expected from this guy in the future. Brother of coach Kov.

KARL BEARDSHAW ? Hull College Position: Scrum Half, Hooker.

A tough and gritty character with cool hands who has a strong desire to achieve the best of himself and those around him. Brother of Dan (Students).

KEIR BELL ? Middlesex University Position: 2nd Row, Loose Forward.

Experienced international player - in his third season - and none more committed to the cause! Vice captain for the tournament. Moved to London Skolars from London Broncos last year. Son of a Dundonian policeman.

ANDY BOAG ? Glasgow University Position: Centre.

A no nonsense centre from Glasgow Bulls with great rugby skills. A natural Rugby League player.

RICHARD BROWN ? Anniesland College, Glasgow Position: 2nd Row.

Strong running and tough tacking second row, was man of the match against Italy Students on last year?s summer tour.

LIAM CAMPBELL ? Sellafield College, Whitehaven Position: Stand Off

A cool and accomplished halfback, comfortable in any of the organising positions. Has built a great partnership with his fellow half over the past couple of seasons.

STEPHEN DAWES ? Lakes College, Cumbria Position: Centre, 2nd Row.

A powerful running forward and is expected to make a large impact on the international scene.

DOUGLAS FLOCKHART ? Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh Position: Centre

Gained Scotland A caps last year against Holland, Italy (scoring two tries), Serbia, England Lionhearts and Wales A . A strong and agile attacking threat. Will relish the big stage.

ANDY GRAY ? Gosta Training College, Glasgow Position: Prop.

A rampaging prop forward from Glasgow Bulls. Don?t argue! Played against England, Holland and Italy for Scotland A last season.

BRYAN HENDRY ? Murrayhouse Institute of Sport, Edinburgh Position: Prop, 2nd Row.

Bryan is a passionate leader and his experience with the full international side will stand him in good stead for the tournament. Made senior debut for Workington Town recently.

IAIN LANE ? Carshalton College, London Position: Loose or Centre

A gifted footballer from London Broncos who is making his first steps on the international scene. A bright future beckons.

ALISTAIR LEIGHTON-SCOTT ? De Montfort University, Leicester Position: Wing.

A determined young man with the eye for a gap and pace to burn. Newcomer to squad.

MARTYN LOWE ? Runshaw Collage, Leyland Position: Hooker.

A composed organiser, with Rugby League knowledge beyond his youthful years.

BRIAN MALONE ? Lancaster and Morecambe Collage Position: Wing, Full Back.

A reliable character with bags of rugby league experience which he will no doubt pass on to the rest of the squad.

ROSS MARSHALL ? Arran High School Position: Centre, 2nd Row, Loose.

A highly talented rugby player with a lot of potential, Ross has a lot of character and is a great listener. Recommended by Bryan Hendry.

GARY THORNTON ? Earnock High School, Hamilton Position: Wing.

A passionate player, waiting to make the most of his chances in this his first international season.

LIAM WILD ? Lakes College, Cumbria Position: Loose Forward / Stand Off.

An experienced Rugby League campaigner from the Cumbria area, again making his first international steps.

ANDREW WORMALD ? Priesthorpe School, Leeds Position: Prop Another newcomer and the youngest player in the squad at just 16. Great potential.

Coaches:

AL STEWART - Yorkshire-bred scrum-half who played for Scotland Students before going into conditioning while at Manchester Met University. Now baed in London, he has moved from playing for London Skolars to being their fitness coach. First season in charge of Under-19s.

JIMMY GLOVER - linked up with Scotland after finishing his spell with the British Army in Germany, where he had coached the Army RL team against Scotland Students in 2002 and helped Holland against Scotland A in 2003! Now working with his countrymen, not against them!

Managers:

KAVEH BAHADORI - son of an Iranian father and Scottish mother, Huddersfield-bred Kov played for Scotland Students while at Staffordshire University. Now with Huddersfield Underbank Rangers in NL3. Younger brother plays for Under-19s and Students.

PHIL SLANEY - based in Peebles, Phil is instrumental in the development of rugby league among teenagers in lower Scotland and has been a vital cog in the Students and Under-19 set-ups for several seasons.

Physios: Sally Golden, Nicole Gormley

Scotland Rugby League representatives: Kevin Rudd, John Risman.

For more information on the Scotland Under-19s contact Scotland Rugby League international press officer Gavin Willacy on 07796 442041 or at rlbravehearts@hotmail.com