Scotland Beat England At
Last

On Saturday night, Scotland beat England at rugby league for the first time in nine years and the first time ever at open age level. The 17-16 victory in London by the Scotland A team over England Lionhearts ranks among Scotland's greatest achievements in rugby league and gives them the opportunity to finish runners-up in the Parkhouse Recruitment Home Nations Championship for the second successive season.

- The win over England followed a record 70-8 defeat in Wales: one of the biggest turnarounds in Scotland Rugby League history

- The winning try was scored by winger Andy Brown, who plays for Fife Lions, lives in Dunfremline and works in Edinburgh. Fife Lions are currently top of the Scottish Conference

- Coach Nathan Graham (ex Bradford Bulls and Scotland captain) came out of retirement for the game and played the whole 80 minutes

- He gave Scotland debuts to seven players: brothers Ben and Rob Copley, both of whom scored tries; Edinburgh Eagles duo Andy Todd and Mike Benson; Kiwi-born prop Nick Surtees; 19 year old Ayr prospect Kevin Lang of Clyde Bulls; and Glasgow-born Australian-raised forward Steve Deviney, now back in the city playing for Easterhouse Panthers.

- hooker Mark Burns captained Scotland last time they beat England - in the Student World Cup in 1996

- Barry Edgar kicked two conversions and his early drop goal made the winning difference - four years ago Barry missed a goal attempt that would have seen Scotland Students beat England in the Europa Cup semi-final in Russia.

- Eight of the 20-man squad are Residents, living in Scotland and playing in the Scottish Conference. Four more travel to Scotland to play for Conference clubs

- Every player and the management team pay for their own accomodation, travel, food and equipment costs so they can play for Scotland

- Eight of the squad came through the Scotland Students RL team to the senior squad

- Six amateur players will be chosen to play alongside Super League stars for the Scotland professional team in the European Nations Cup in the autumn

- Scotland next play against Ireland on Sunday 14 August at GHA RFC in Giffnock, Glasgow

Gavin Willacy Scotland Rugby League A Team Manager 07796 442041 www.scotlandrugbyleague.org.uk