Last updated at 12:07, Monday, 15 October 2012

Three Cumbrian rugby league pros played their part in an entertaining Alitalia European Cup clash between Scotland and Ireland at Meggetland, Edinburgh yesterday.

Carl Sice tries to break free from the Scotland defence

Ireland, a side including Whitehaven hooker Carl Sice, built up a convincing 22-0 half-time lead, but Scotland, who included Workington Town full-back Brett Carter and Haven’s new signing, prop Paul Jackson, pushed them all the way in the second period before going down 30-18.

“We weren’t expecting such a good start,” said Sice who gained his first Ireland cap yesterday. “They had a big pack and we tried to play down the fringes and on the outside. We knew Scotland would come strong and they had a lot of sets on our line in the second half. But our defence was key.”

Sice will fly out to Belfast for a three-day training camp ahead of the clash with England Knights on Saturday, and he added: “We’ll face a much tougher test on Saturday against England international fringe players. I’m hoping to be involved again and get my second cap.

“I can’t remember the last time I played a full 80 minutes but I really enjoyed it yesterday.”

Town’s Carter suffered an injury 10 minutes into the second half, and said: “In the first half Ireland caught us on the outside a few times and scored three very similar tries.

“I then caught a knee in my hip and it tightened up so I swapped from full-back to wing for the remainder of the game.

“It’s been great over the last week or so and I’ve made a lot of new friends in the squad. The caliber of some of the players there is great. I just hope they don’t change the squad around too much for the game against England Knights in a fortnight’s time. I played for Cumbria against England and we went close,” added Carter who earned his third cap yesterday.

First published at 11:43, Monday, 15 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk