Scotland coach Steve McCormack has said he will make changes for Saturday’s huge double-header clash against England in Coventry – and says that Wayne Bennett’s side are under “immense pressure”.
After both teams started the Four Nations with a loss, both England and Scotland know that only a win is realistically enough to keep their hopes of making the final alive.
And after the Bravehearts started with a defeat to Australia in Hull on Friday, McCormack said there is pressure for both teams – but in Scotland’s case, it is very much internal pressure.
He told TotalRL: “I won’t tinker too much, but I will certainly make changes. We’ve got a really good squad as a whole and everyone is itching to get out there and play.
“The bottom line is that both teams didn’t start how they wanted to, irrespective of performances. They’re under immense pressure to win and keep their hopes of the final alive, but from our point of view, there’s pressure too: internal pressure.”
McCormack also admitted that he can’t wait to coach against England at international level for the first time.
“I don’t think it gets much bigger than this, England against Scotland in any international sport is a great occasion,” he said.
“England will feel the same too. We play in the European Cup and we take great pride from that but it steps up another level when it comes to having a crack at England in the Four Nations with a huge crowd behind you – or maybe against you in this case!”
And the Scotland coach says he’s looking forward to sampling the Ricoh Arena for the first time as a coach.
“It’s a fantastic venue,” he said. “The double-header concept is great I think. It’s a great move to take it there; I went to Huddersfield on Saturday and the atmosphere was sensational with the English public getting behind them – I’m expecting something very similar again on Saturday afternoon.”
