Boots 'N' All caught up with the latest news at the launch of the European Cup in Venice.
European Cup countdown begins
Boots 'N' All travelled to Venice for the launch of the European Cup.
The tournament, which kicks off on Saturday October 17 and features Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Serbia, Lebanon and Italy, will be staged in six countries over a four week period with the final at Brewery Field on November 8th live on Sky Sports.
The action will kick off in Padova, just a short journey away from Venice, where Scotland will take on Italy.
"We will pick up where we did so well in the world Cup last year," said Scotland assistant coach Dave Rotheram.
"There is another World Cup in four years time and this competition has a big bearing on your future qualification. Hopefully we will start developing some quality players over the next few years and hopefully put something back into the Scottish domestic game as well."
For Italy it is a chance to develop their game and hopefully expose more local people to the game.
"We don't know how ready we are until we get out on the field," said Italy Rugby League president Tiziano Franchini.
"We have been awarded by the European Federation to be in this tournament and we are happy to have the chance to play in it. We hope to move forward in the development of the game and hope to have a good competition."
Joining Scotland and Italy in their pool are Lebanon who impressed in the last World Cup qualifiers. Lebanon will play a home game in Tripoli and are well worth their dark horse status.
"Lebanon have always been a team that have punched above their weight on the international scenes," said Lebanon development officer Danny Kazandjian.
"We pride ourselves on those performances and this year we are going to have some well known players in the squad so in this tournament the tag of dark horses is appropriate."
One of those players being mentioned is Canterbury Bulldogs wing Hazem El Masri, who will retire at the end of the NRL season.
"He was born in Tripoli so for him to finish is career in the town of his birth would be an iconic achievement for him. One must hope that he can get through the NRL final series without taking too much punishment and then we will see."
In the other group are Wales, Serbia and Ireland who are touted as favourites after their World Cup heroics.
"We have seen Italy come in and we now have Serbia who are new to the competition, so there is a pathway into the European Cup for some of the emerging nations," said Ireland coach Andy Kelly.
"Next year France come back into the European Cup and there is talk about a place in the Four Nations competion for the winners of the European Cup next year. So there is a lot to bite onto especially as it is the pathway to the World Cup so it is very exciting and there is a lot for us to play for."
