The domestic season may be over but there’s plenty of action on the international front involving London players. Harlequins RL centre Tony Clubb is jetting off Down Under with the England party to the Four Nations while club colleagues Jamie O’Callaghan (Ireland) and Oliver Wilkes (Scotland) will be up against each other in the Alitalia European Cup.
London Skolars also have players involved in European action with wing Dave Arnott likely to feature for Scotland and centre/second row Matt Thomas with the Welsh squad. Clubb, who already has two England caps said: “I am really excited about flying out to Australia.
“When I get there I’ll work hard to play as many games as I can for my country. I learn a lot from the England set up and as one of the younger players, I learn a lot from the senior players who have been here before.
“Adrian Morley is the skipper and I’ll be looking to him for inspiration. I’m just really looking forward to the whole tour but I’ll miss my girlfriend, my dog and my friends and family.”
Wilkes has become a regular in Scotland’s front row and realises the importance of this year’s European competition. “This is a good opportunity for Scotland to make the Four Nations next year,” he said.” It’s a pretty level playing field in terms of the national teams taking part but I have three great games to look forward to, which I am sure will be entertaining for supporters.
“The Scotland set up is fantastic, I have been up here for a week and we are based in a remote area allowing us to really focus on the task at hand.”
Wilkes gave his Harlequins team mate Tony Clubb a little going away present following the Cumbria v England match for the Garry Purdham Memorial Trust at the weekend. The Ulverston born prop was in the Cumbrian team and when he came charging through Clubb lined him up for a big hit.
However as the two collided they clashed heads and the England centre came off worse. After the game he sported a real shiner and was disappointed to see the Cumbrian prop unscathed.
"I can't believe you haven't got a scratch or anything after I knocked you backwards," said Clubb as he patted his friend on the back. "That's what happens when you mess with Oliver Wilkes," came the reply.
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