Scotland have appointed former scrum-half John Duffy to their coaching team for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. Duffy, who retired from playing following a persistent back injury, has been coaching at his former club Leigh Centurions and within the regional development programme as well as running Scotland Exiles Under-18s and assisting Scotland at the recent Student World Cup.
Duffy remains Scotland’s youngest–ever international, winning his first cap aged just 16, back in 1997 against France. His 12th and final cap came against the same nation in 2011 in Perpignan. Duffy won the Dave Valentine Award as Scotland’s Player of the Year that season. He brings experience as a player at the 2008 World Cup where he appeared in all three games.
Steve McCormack will complete his tenth season as head coach with his assistant Dave Rotheram, the same coaching team that masterminded Scotland’s first win in a World Cup game when they beat Fiji in Australia in 2008. Ollie Cruickshank, from the University of Edinburgh, continues as Team Manager, Sheffield Eagles’ Mick Heys as physio and Wakefield’s John Lynagh as doctor. New recruits are Wigan Warriors analyst Josh Parr and the Widnes Vikings strength & conditioning team of Clive Brewer and his assistant Dan Hannett. Scotland’s food in camp will be prepared by Royal Marines Mike Beaton and Simon Wilcockson. Mark Richardson is in charge of kit while the media roles will be taken by Gavin Willacy, Richard de la Riviere and Ian Templeman.
Scotland kick-off their group games against Tonga at Derwent Park, Workington on Tuesday 29 October before playing Italy at the same ground on Sunday 3 November. They complete the first phase of the tournament against the USA at Salford City Stadium on Thursday 7 November.
Scotland World Cup 2013 staff:
Head Coach – Steve McCormack
Team Manager – Ollie Cruickshank
Assistant Coach – Dave Rotheram
Coach – John Duffy
Doctor – John Lynagh
Physio – Mick Heys
Kit Man – Mark Richardson
Analyst – Josh Parr
Head Strength & Conditioner – Clive Brewer
Assistant S&C – Dan Hannett
Head Chef – Mike Beaton
Assistant Chef – Simon Wilcockson
SRL Representative – George Fairbairn
Media – Gavin Willacy, Richard de la Riviere, Ian Templeman
