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Scotland

Scottish Hockey fans will have a sneak preview of their side?s European squad in action this weekend as the Scots host England?s senior men at Peffermill. With both sides in the same group in the European Championships this could prove to be a good barometer for what lies in wait in Dublin.


It is almost two years since the two sides met, their last match being at the 2003 European Championships in Barcelona where the Scots triumphed over their Southern rivals in a shock 2-1 win. Both of Scotland?s goalscorers in that famous victory will take to the pitch this weekend, Andrew Sewnauth (Western Wildcats) and David Ralph (Loughborough) were the heroes that day and will be hoping to repeat their form.


Ralph and Graham Moodie (Cannock) face the added pressure of lining up opposite their clubmates as England Men?s Head Coach Jason Lee?s squad features players from both Loughborough and Cannock. While the Scots are fielding their full European squad Lee still has a decision to make as Scott Cordon (Cannock) is being given an extended selection period, until 7 August, following a hand operation that has kept him from competing since the Champions Challenge in April.


A number of England?s players play their club hockey on the continent so head to Dublin with some useful inside knowledge. And Lee has the added advantage of being familiar with the game play of several of Scotland?s key players through his role as Team GB coach.


But the Scots are more than ready for the challenge. Captain Mike Leonard describes the mood in the camp; "The guys are all really excited about playing against England, especially as we will be in the same group in the Europeans. Obviously we beat England last time out so it will be interesting to see how they have progressed over the last couple of years and it will also give us a chance to see how we measure up. And of course we all enjoy the chance to play against the Auld Enemy!".


Reflecting on Scotland?s recent Celtic Cup campaign, where they were subjected to a heavy defeat by the French on day one, Leonard says that the squad have put this behind them and are now ready for the next challenge. "It was a below par performance from us at the Celtic Cup and while everyone is obviously trying to peak for the Europeans we still have to perform in every match, particularly in front of a home crowd. But everyone is really up for the matches against England and we?re looking forward to the weekend."


The teams will play two matches at Peffermill on Saturday and Sunday at 1400 and 1230 respectively.


Scotland Squad v England, 6-7 August 2005


Aberdeen Asset Management (Gordonians)

Craig Harper, 14/04/83, 18 Caps

Alistair McGregor, 11/06/81, 32 Caps


Grange

Mike Leonard (Captain), 20/02/74, 106 Caps

Andy McBride, 17/05/76, 45 Caps


Greaves Clydesdale

Graham Dunlop, 21/05/76, 100 Caps


Inverleith

Stephen Dick, 21/06/85, 19 Caps


Kelburne

Jonathan Christie, 09/07/83, 45 Caps

Michael Christie, 23/01/87, 11 Caps

Chris Nelson, 27/09/84, 19 Caps

Mark Ralph, 10/02/80, 59 Caps

Niall Stott, 06/02/81, 45 Caps


Western Wildcats

Kris Kane, 05/12/80, 49 Caps

Vishal Marwaha, 08/05/76, 110 Caps

David Mitchell, 16/09/81, 54 Caps

Andrew Sewnauth, 26/02/82, 45 Caps

Douglas Simpson, 17/05/82, 11 Caps


Outside Scotland

Cannock

Graham Moodie, 05/01/81, 49 Caps


Loughborough

David Ralph, 17/08/82, 101 Caps

Management Team

Manager: Eugene Connolly

Coach: Mathias Ahrens

Assistant Coach: Calum McLeod

Physio: Juliet Wickham

Videographer: Tom Johnston



England Squad

Amsterdam

Ben Hawes, 72 Caps

Barcelona FC

Ben Marsden, 2 Caps

Cannock

Andrew West, 45 Caps

Barry Middleton, 86 Caps

Klein Zwitzerland

Brett Garrard (C), 195 Caps

Loughborough Students

Ali Wilson, 15 Caps

Glenn Kirkham, 24 Caps

Jerome Goudie, 97 Caps

Old Georgians

James Tindall, 12 Caps

Old Loughtonians

James Stedman, 15 Caps

Richard Alexander, 16 Caps

Reading

Jonty Clarke, 30 Caps

Richard Mantell, 12 Caps

Schwarzweiss Neuss

Nick Brothers, 6 Caps

Surbiton

Jon Ebsworth, 30 Caps

Matt Daly, 17 Caps

Rob Moore, 48 Caps



Schedule

Sat 6 August, 1400, Scotland v England, Peffermill, Pitch 1

Sunday 7 August, 1230, Scotland v England, Peffermill, Pitch 1

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