Workington Town to trial Scottish World Cup player against Fijians

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 10:08, Saturday, 29 November 2008

Workington Town will hand a trial tomorrow to Scotland World Cup ace Paddy Coupar against the Australian Fijians at Derwent Park (3pm).

The 22-year-old played for the Scots against Tonga in Australia and boss Dave Rotheram is keen to see how he shapes up on home soil.

“He didn’t play the World Cup game as a token gesture just because he’s actually a Scotsman,” said Rotheram. “He was picked on merit and impressed me.

“Paddy is a well-skilled, very fit young man. He’s a student in Edinburgh and played a few games for our reserve-grade last season.

“We haven’t yet really found his position. He’s played centre, stand-off and loose-forward, and he needs a good year with us to find out where he will play. He will play as a trialist tomorrow.”

Coupar will start on the bench, while six new signings will start the game. Former skipper Andrew Beattie slots in at centre, his favourite position, while all eyes will be on fresh half-back pairing of Steven Roper, formerly with Widnes, and Aussie Mike Watton.

“We struggled in the halves a little last year, as we didn’t have a settled pairing,” Rotheram added.

“Chopping and changing your six and seven every week is no good for a team, and we want to get these two bedded in. I want us to make a big impression from the off.

“The Fijians only arrived in this country on Thursday and won’t be feeling their best, but they’ll give it all they’ve got.

“Fiji were very enthusiastic in the World Cup and have a great passion for the game, which shines through.”

Town: Duffy, Dawes, Beattie, Routledge, Marshall, Watton, Roper, Benjafield, S Burgess, Brindle, Hodgson, Robinson, Hodgson. Subs: Smith, Scott, Coupar, Dobson, Blacklock, Coward.