2014 European Championships: Peter Lupton to lead Wales out against Scotland

Peter Lupton has been entrusted with the Wales captaincy for their 2014 European Championship opener against Scotland at his home club Workington on Friday.

The 32-year-old former Celtic Crusaders player, who also has Super League experience with London Broncos, Castleford Tigers and Hull FC, has taken over the leadership from Huddersfield's Craig Kopczak, who has made himself unavailable for the four-team tournament.

Wales coach John Kear, who has succeeded Iestyn Harris, said: "We've already had a couple of training sessions and Peter stood out as an experienced leader.

"It seemed a logical choice to me and it's a bonus for him that we're playing on his home club ground first up.

I was really surprised when John Kear approached me but it's an honour to captain a Wales team and I'm very honoured.

"What's really pleased me about the two training sessions we had last week is commitment of the group as a whole. Some players made eight-hour round trips on the day to get to them and there were no issues whatsoever.

"They worked solidly for the duration and went home. The commitment to the Wales cause has been outstanding."

Lupton, who made his Wales debut three years ago in a 30-8 win over Ireland in Neath, said: "I was really surprised when John Kear approached me but it's an honour to captain a Wales team and I'm very honoured.

"It's a bonus that the first game will be at Workington Town, my home club. Hopefully we can get a few Workington fans there supporting Wales and that a good few of my family and friends will come out too.''

Wales will also face France and Ireland with the incentive of a place in the 2016 Four Nations Series alongside England, Australia and New Zealand.

"This is a very important tournament for all of us," Lupton added. "We want to try and get into the Four Nations once again and hopefully we can make a good start."