CHARLIE Emslie has been named in Scotland’s 20-man squad by head coach Nathan Graham to face Jamaica this weekend.
Emslie won the club’s Young Player of the Year award at the 2021 end of season presentation, and now sets his sights on a first Scotland call up at the international clash taking place at Featherstone this Sunday, October 24.
“To come through the Under-19s and students set ups, it’s really showed me what Scotland rugby league is about and the principles they have,” said Emslie.
“I went to Serbia with the Under-19s and have been involved in two Four Nations tournaments with the students, so I am very familiar with the set up.
“I feel that has helped me work my way in to the first team and progressed myself as a player and as a person. Nathan Graham was our coach for students, so I know how he likes to play and I feel we already have a good relationship.”
Emslie revealed that the Scotland camp has had two training sessions in Dewsbury so far, training with Barrow teammates Connor Terrill and Shane Toal before the final squad was named for this weekend’s clash.
With the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England delayed until 2022, this gives the perfect opportunity for Emslie to show what he can do.
“I’m still a bit took back by this selection and I know the World Cup has been delayed another year, but I think this has personally worked well for me,” he said.
“I can try and impress at training and the game this week and my goal is to be included in that World Cup squad next year. It will be a great experience for me and an opportunity to make my family proud.
“All the more experienced and senior players have really helped me during training and I hope to continue to learn more from them and bring it into my game next year for Barrow as we have a very tough season ahead.
“I already knew Danny Addy as he was our Under-19s coach in Serbia. I also knew a couple of the lads from my time at students, so I already felt a part of the team as soon as I arrived at training and all of the more senior and experienced players have made me feel welcome and helped me a lot in training.
“I personally feel I’m just getting better as I go on and I’m learning more through each training session whether that’s with Scotland or Barrow.”
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