Capital gains for England

Debutant McCarthy-Scarsbrook delighted to be included

Last updated: 10th October 2008

Capital gains for England

McCarthy-Scarsbrook: Delighted at call-up

The selections show that we're a true English club now and that the young lads coming through the system can mix it with the best players in the country

Quins captain Rob Purdham
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Rob Purdham believes the fact that three Harlequins players have been picked for England shows the capital club "can mix it with the best".

The Quins captain will win his first full cap on Friday night as Tony Smith's side warm-up for the forthcoming World Cup, live on Sky Sports.

The Cumbrian-born forward is joined in the 17-man squad by club colleagues Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Tony Clubb, who starts on the bench.

The selection of the trio shows that the sport is continuing to blossom in London, according to Purdham.

English club

"The selections show that we're a true English club now and that the young lads coming through the system can mix it with the best players in the country," he said.

"It's good news for the club and good news for Louie and Clubby who have learnt a lot things from Tony Smith and the England coaching staff."

Although Purdham is the only one of the three players who will be heading Down Under, the match against the Welsh will offer McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Clubb a chance to impress at the highest level.

The duo will both be making their debuts at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium as players from Leeds and St Helens are rested.

For McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who hails from the Isle of Dogs, it will be a special occasion with his family in the crowd to see his first international appearance.

Extra special

"I'm winning my first England cap and that's class," he said. "My family is coming as well so that makes it extra special.

"Because I got an injury early in the season which put me out for three months, I wasn't too sure what was going to happen.

"This year I just wanted to get a permanent spot in the Quins side, I didn't look that far ahead.

"You don't really hear much down south but someone said I was in the running. Hopefully, I can push on next season and get another cap and see how it goes then."