Iestyn's youngsters hit Euro heights

Wednesday 11th November 2009

If you saw the rugbyleague.com European Cup Final on Sunday, you woud have seen the Iestyn Harris coached Welsh side record a hard-fought victory over a dogged and highly committed Scotland.

The match was high quality and made gripping viewing for the crowd at Brewery Field and the Sky Sports audience at home.

One thing that really stood out to me though, were the performances of several Welsh players, in particuar Lloyd White and Eliot Kear.

Those two players clearly have great potential and must give the Welsh (and the Crusaders) great hope for the future. 

Kear won the man-of-the-match award and afterwards received praise from Harris (a man who knows a thing or two about full-back play). Let's hope we see plenty of him in Crusdaers and Welsh shirts in the coming months and years.

I'd also like to mention Steve McCormack and his Scotland side. There's no doubt in my mind that Steve has done a great job with the 'Bravehearts' and has played a huge role in their recent development.

They seem to play with such togetherness and team spirit and are certainly improving.

I hope more Scottish sports fans can come to appreciate the commitment and professionalism they show.

Finally, on behalf of rugbyleague.com I would like to congratulate Kevin Rudd and everybody at the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) for their superb staging of the European Cup tournament.

It has been hugely enjoyable to be involved with and has provided some great matches and sporting spectacle.

The RLEF created an event which was not only tremendously successful but also hugely beneficial for the development of international Rugby League.

I can't wait for next year.