2015 European Cup

The 2015 European Cup was an international rugby league football tournament. The tournament took place between 16 October and 7 November in Wales, France, Scotland and Ireland.

2015 (2015) European Cup  ()
Number of teams4
Host countries Wales
 France
 Scotland
 Ireland
Winner Wales (7th title)
Matches played6
Attendance15,301 (2,550 per match)
Points scored225 (37.5 per match)
Tries scored41 (6.83 per match)
Top scorerWales Courtney Davies (22)
Top try scorerFrance Tony Gigot (4)
Tournaments
 < 2014
2018 > 

Scotland were the defending champions. Four teams competed in the 2015 event; Wales, Scotland, France and Ireland.[1] Wales were crowned 2015 European Cup champions after winning all of their games putting them on top of the table with the maximum points tally of 6.[2]

After the tournament's last game there would be no European Cup tournament until the 2018 Championship due to the events occurring such as the 2016 Four Nations, 2017 World Cup qualifying competitions and the 2017 World Cup Finals.

Teams
Team Coach Captain RLIF Rank
 France Richard Agar Jason Baitieri 5
 Ireland Mark Aston Liam Finn 7
 Scotland Steve McCormack Danny Brough 8
 Wales John Kear Craig Kopczak 9

Squads

France

Head Coach: England Richard Agar

  • On 1 October, Richard Agar named the following 23 players as part of his squad in preparation for the tournament.[3]
Player Games Points Position 2015 Club
Morgan Escaré34FBFrance Catalans Dragons
Jordan Sigismeau34WGFrance AS Saint Estève
Damien Cardace10WGFrance Lézignan Sangliers
Jean-Philippe Baile30CEEngland Bradford Bulls
Tony Gigot316CEFrance Catalans Dragons
Benjamin Jullien30CEEngland Warrington Wolves
Olivier Arnaud24CEFrance Sporting Olympique Avignon
Théo Fages24SOEngland Salford Red Devils
Stanislas Robin38SOFrance AS Saint Estève
William Barthau22SHEngland London Broncos
Rémy Marginet214SHFrance AS Saint Estève
Mourad Kriouache00SHFrance Toulouse Olympique
Julian Bousquet30PRFrance Catalans Dragons
Mickaël Simon34PREngland Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Gadwin Springer30PREngland Castleford Tigers
Clément Boyer10PRFrance Toulouse Olympique
John Boudebza31HKEngland Hull Kingston Rovers
Kevin Larroyer38SREngland Hull Kingston Rovers
Antoni Maria20SRFrance Catalans Dragons
Florent Rouanet10SRFrance Lézignan Sangliers
Mickaël Goudemand00SRFrance Sporting Olympique Avignon
Jason Baitieri (C)20LFFrance Catalans Dragons
Ugo Perez34LFFrance AS Saint Estève

Ireland

Head Coach: England Mark Aston

  • On 2 October, Mark Aston named the following 22 players as part of his squad in preparation for the tournament.[4]
  • On 6 November, Robbie Mulhern was a late call-up for Mark Aston's team in the lead up to their crucial final match against Wales.[5]
Player Games Points Position 2015 Club
Scott Grix34FBEngland Huddersfield Giants
Callum Mulkeen34WGEngland Gloucestershire All Golds
Casey Dunne34WGIreland Athboy Longhorns
Bradley Hargreaves38CEEngland Rochdale Hornets
James Mendeika20CEEngland Bradford Bulls
Liam Finn (C)314SOEngland Castleford Tigers
Ben Johnston30SHEngland Halifax
Gregg McNally00SHEngland Leigh Centurions
Joseph Keyes30SHEngland London Broncos
Matty Hadden30PREngland Rochdale Hornets
Sean Hesketh10PREngland Batley Bulldogs
Luke Ambler38PREngland Halifax
Colton Roche00PREngland York City Knights
Gareth Gill10PRIreland Ballynahinch Rabbitohs
Danny Bridge30SREngland Rochdale Hornets
Will Hope30SREngland Oldham R.L.F.C.
Elliot Cosgrove30SREngland Batley Bulldogs
Oliver Roberts30SREngland Huddersfield Giants
Haydn Peacock20SRFrance AS Carcassonne
Graham O'Keeffe20SREngland Oxford RLFC
Dave Allen00SREngland Whitehaven
Bob Beswick30LFEngland Leigh Centurions

Scotland

Head Coach: England Steve McCormack

  • On 30 September, Steve McCormack named the following 29 players as part of his squad in preparation for the tournament.[6]
  • On 7 November, Sam Brooks was called up to play for Steve McCormack's side in the final game of the tournament against France to fill in for injuries.[8] Gavin Grant was also called up to play in the team, for the game against France, which became the youngest ever international senior Scottish team to play an international match with an average age of 22.[9]
Player Games Points Position 2015 Club
Alex Walker30FBEngland London Broncos
Harvey Burnett30WGUnattached
Richard Harris30WGEngland Warrington Wolves
David Scott34WGEngland Doncaster
Craig Robertson00WGScotland Edinburgh Eagles
Ben Hellewell20CEEngland London Broncos
Shane Toal28CEEngland Barrow Raiders
Finlay Hutchison10CEScotland Edinburgh Eagles
Scott Plumridge20CEScotland Edinburgh Eagles
Danny Brough (C)210SOEngland Huddersfield Giants
Oscar Thomas310SOEngland London Broncos
Louis Senter00SHScotland Easterhouse Panthers
Finn Murphy00SHScotland Edinburgh Eagles
Sam Barlow00PREngland Leigh Centurions
Ben Kavanagh30PREngland Widnes Vikings
Adam Walker10PREngland Hull Kingston Rovers
Jonathan Walker20PREngland Leigh Centurions
Joe McLean30PREngland Gloucestershire All Golds
Billy McConnachie00PRAustralia Ipswich Jets
Josh Barlow00HKEngland Swinton Lions
Liam Hood34HKEngland Salford Red Devils
Lewis Clarke20HKScotland Edinburgh Eagles
Sonny Esslemont30SREngland Hull Kingston Rovers
Corbyn Kilday20SRAustralia Central Queensland Capras
Danny Addy38LFEngland Bradford Bulls
Dale Ferguson38LFEngland Bradford Bulls

Wales

Head Coach: England John Kear

  • On 16 September, John's first selection move of 2015 was naming his new captain as Lloyd White.[10]
  • On 29 September, John Kear named the following 24 players as part of his squad in preparation for the tournament.[11]
  • On 8 October, James Geurtjens of the Coventry Bears was called up into John Kear's squad.[13]
  • On 12 October, captain Lloyd White withdrew from the team due to a knee injury.[14] Craig Kopczak was therefore announced as the new captain.[15]
Player Games Points Position 2015 Club
Elliot Kear34FBEngland London Broncos
Lewis Reece34FBEngland Gloucestershire All Golds
Jamie Murphy10FBEngland Gloucestershire All Golds
Dalton Grant312WGEngland Dewsbury Rams
Rhys Williams30WGEngland London Broncos
Michael Channing30WGEngland Castleford Tigers
Regan Grace20WGEngland St. Helens
Christiaan Roets30CEWales North Wales Crusaders
Rob Massam00CEWales North Wales Crusaders
Courtney Davies322SOEngland Gloucestershire All Golds
Steve Parry38SOEngland Gloucestershire All Golds
Ollie Olds30SHAustralia Souths Logan Magpies
Joe Burke34PRWales North Wales Crusaders
Dan Fleming00PREngland Bradford Bulls
Craig Kopczak (C)30PREngland Huddersfield Giants
Anthony Walker34PREngland Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Morgan Evans20PREngland Coventry Bears
James Geurtjens00PREngland Coventry Bears
Philip Joseph30HKEngland Widnes Vikings
Connor Farrer20HKWales South Wales Scorpions
Matt Barron10SREngland Newcastle Thunder
Ricky Hough00SREngland Newcastle Thunder
Rhodri Lloyd34SREngland Wigan Warriors
Morgan Knowles10LFEngland St. Helens

Venues

The games will be played at the following venues in Wales, France, Scotland and Ireland.

Wrexham Albi Galashiels Cardiff Avignon Bray
Racecourse Ground Stadium Municipal d'Albi Netherdale Cardiff Arms Park Parc des Sports Carlisle Grounds
Capacity: 15,550 Capacity: 13,058 Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 12,125 Capacity: 17,518 Capacity: 7,000

Standings
TeamPlayedWonDrewLostForAg.DiffPoints
 Wales33006222+406
 France32016946+234
 Ireland31024283–412
 Scotland30035274–220

Fixtures

Note*France vs Wales Round 2 fixture has been moved to the 30th due to France's fixture Archived 26 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine with England on 24 October before England's series against New Zealand.

Round 1
16 October 2015
Wales  18 – 12  Scotland
17 October 2015
France  31 – 14  Ireland

Round 2
23 October 2015
Scotland  22 – 24  Ireland
Netherdale, Galashiels
*30 October 2015
Wales  14 – 6  France

Round 3
7 November 2015
France  32 – 18  Scotland
7 November 2015
Ireland  4 – 30  Wales

Matches details

All times are local: UTC+1/CET in French venues. UTC+0/WET in Irish venues. UTC+0/GMT in Welsh venues. UTC+0/GMT in Scottish venues.

Wales vs Scotland
16 October 2015
20:00
Wales  18 – 12  Scotland
Try: Parry 9' c
Grant 37'
Walker 64' c
Goal: Davies (3/5) 10', 15', 65'		 Report
 Try: Ferguson 27' c
Thomas 78' c
Goal: Brough (2/2) 28', 80'
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
Attendance: 1,253
Referee: Joe Cobb
FB1 Elliot Kear
RW2 Rhys Williams
RC3 Michael Channing
LC4 Christiaan Roets
LW5 Dalton Grant
SO7 Ollie Olds
SH24 Courtney Davies
PR17 Anthony Walker
HK18 Steve Parry
PR10 Craig Kopczak (c)
SR11 Rhodri Lloyd
SR14 Lewis Reece
LF13 Philip Joseph
Substitutions:
IC12 Morgan Knowles
IC20 Joe Burke
IC21 Matty Barron
IC25 Jamie Murphy
Coach:
England John Kear
FB1 Oscar Thomas
RW2 David Scott
RC3 Ben Hellewell
LC4Harvey Burnett
LW5 Alex Walker
SO6 Danny Brough (c)
SH7 Danny Addy
PR8 Adam Walker
HK9 Liam Hood
PR10 Jonathan Walker
SR11 Sonny Esslemont
SR12 Dale Ferguson
LF13 Ben Kavanagh
Substitutions:
IC14 Joe McClean
IC15 Corbyn Kilday
IC16 Richard Harris
IC17 Scott Plumridge
Coach:
England Steve McCormack
  • The victory for Wales ended their spree of 12 consecutive defeats with their last victory occurring four years ago.

France vs Ireland
17 October 2015
15:30
France  31 – 14  Ireland
Try: Robin 24'
Sigismeau 30'
Gigot (2) 44' c, 74'
Fages 50' c
Larroyer 78' c
Goal: Marginet (3/6) 45', 51', 79'
Drop Goal: Boudebza (1/1) 73'		 Report
 Try: Dunne 19' c
Hargreaves 55' c
Goal: Finn (3/3) 20', 40', 56'
Stadium Municipal d'Albi, Albi
Attendance: 4,681
Referee: Phil Bentham
FB1 Morgan Escaré
RW2 Jordan Sigismeau
RC3 Tony Gigot
LC4 Benjamin Jullien
LW5 Damien Cardace
SO6 Théo Fages (c)
SH7 Rémy Marginet
PR8 Julian Bousquet
HK9 John Boudebza
PR10 Mickaël Simon
SR11 Kevin Larroyer
SR12 Ugo Perez
LF13 Gadwin Springer
Substitutes
IC14 Stanislas Robin
IC15 Jean-Philippe Baile
IC16 Antoni Maria
IC17 Clément Boyer
Coach:
England Richard Agar
FB1 Scott Grix
RW2 Bradley Hargreaves
RC3 James Mendeika
LC4 Elliot Cosgrove
LW5 Casey Dunne
SO6 Ben Johnston
SH7 Liam Finn (c)
PR8 Danny Bridge
HK9 Bob Beswick
PR10 Luke Ambler
SR11 Haydn Peacock
SR12 Will Hope
LF13 Oliver Roberts
Substitutes
IC14 Joseph Keyes
IC15 Callum Mulkeen
IC16 Graham O'Keeffe
IC17 Matty Hadden
Coach:
England Mark Aston

Scotland vs Ireland
23 October 2015
19:30
Scotland  22 – 24  Ireland
Try: Addy (2) 22', 43' c
Toal 47' c
Ferguson 60' c
Goal: Brough (3/4) 44', 48', 61'		 Report
 Try: Ambler (2) 7' c, 34' c
Hargreaves 13'
Grix 72' c
Goal: Finn (4/5) 8', 35', 38', 73'
Netherdale, Galashiels
Attendance: 1,197
Referee: Chris Kendall
FB1 David Scott
RW2 Shane Toal
RC3 Ben Hellewell
LC4 Richard Harris
LW5 Alex Walker
SO6 Danny Brough (c)
SH7 Oscar Thomas
PR8 Ben Kavanagh
HK9 Liam Hood
PR10 Jonathan Walker
SR11 Sonny Esslemont
SR12 Dale Ferguson
LF13 Danny Addy
Substitutions:
IC14 Joe McClean
IC15 Corbyn Kilday
IC16 Lewis Clarke
IC17Harvey Burnett
Coach:
England Steve McCormack
FB1 Scott Grix
RW2 Bradley Hargreaves
RC3 James Mendeika
LC4 Elliot Cosgrove
LW5 Casey Dunne
SO6 Ben Johnston
SH7 Liam Finn (c)
PR8 Matty Hadden
HK9 Bob Beswick
PR10 Luke Ambler
SR11 Danny Bridge
SR12 Will Hope
LF13 Oliver Roberts
Substitutes
IC14 Callum Mulkeen
IC15 Graham O'Keeffe
IC16 Joseph Keyes
IC17 Sean Hesketh
Coach:
England Mark Aston

Wales vs France
30 October 2015
13:30
Wales  14 – 6  France
Try: Grant 27'
Burke 46' c
Davies 51'
Goal: Davies (1/3) 47'		 Report
 Try: Simon 73' c
Goal: Barthau (1/1) 73'
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Attendance: 1,028
Referee: Robert Hicks
FB1 Elliot Kear
RW2 Rhys Williams
RC3 Michael Channing
LC4 Christiaan Roets
LW5 Dalton Grant
SO7 Ollie Olds
SH24 Courtney Davies
PR17 Anthony Walker
HK18 Steve Parry
PR10 Craig Kopczak (c)
SR11 Rhodri Lloyd
SR14 Lewis Reece
LF13 Philip Joseph
Substitutions:
IC8 Morgan Evans
IC19 Connor Farrer
IC20 Joe Burke
IC22 Regan Grace
Coach:
England John Kear
FB1 Morgan Escaré
RW2 Jordan Sigismeau
RC3 Tony Gigot
LC4 Jean-Philippe Baile
LW5 Olivier Arnaud
SO6 Théo Fages
SH7 William Barthau
PR8 Julian Bousquet
HK9 John Boudebza
PR10 Mickaël Simon
SR11 Kevin Larroyer
SR12 Ugo Perez
LF13 Jason Baitieri (c)
Substitutes
IC14 Stanislas Robin
IC15 Antoni Maria
IC16 Gadwin Springer
IC17 Benjamin Jullien
Coach:
England Richard Agar
  • With the defeat, France still haven’t won a test in South Wales since 1948.

France vs Scotland
7 November 2015
15:30
France  32 – 18  Scotland
Try: Arnaud 3'
Gigot (2) 15', 38'
Larroyer 22'
Escaré 26'
Robin 30'
Perez 60'
Goal: Marginet (4/7)		 Report
 Try: Toal 9' c
Scott 66' c
Hood 70' c
Goal: Thomas (3/3)
Parc des Sports, Avignon
Attendance: 5,737
Referee: Gareth Hewer
Player of the Match: Tony Gigot (France)
FB1 Morgan Escaré
RW2 Jordan Sigismeau
RC3 Tony Gigot
LC4 Benjamin Jullien
LW5 Olivier Arnaud
SO6 Stanislas Robin
SH7 Rémy Marginet
PR8 Julian Bousquet
HK9 John Boudebza
PR10 Mickaël Simon
SR11 Kevin Larroyer
SR12 Ugo Perez
LF13 Jason Baitieri (c)
Substitutes
IC14 William Barthau
IC15 Jean-Philippe Baile
IC16 Gadwin Springer
IC17 Florent Rouanet
Coach:
England Richard Agar
FB1 David Scott
RW2 Shane Toal
RC3Harvey Burnett
LC4 Richard Harris
LW5 Alex Walker
SO6 Danny Addy
SH7 Oscar Thomas
PR8 Joe McClean
HK9 Liam Hood
PR10 Ben Kavanagh
SR11 Sonny Esslemont
SR12 Dale Ferguson (c)
LF13 Sam Brooks
Substitutions:
IC14 Scott Plumridge
IC15 Gavin Grant
IC16 Lewis Clarke
IC17 Finlay Hutchison
Coach:
England Steve McCormack

Ireland vs Wales
7 November 2015
17:00
Ireland  4 – 30  Wales
Try: Mulkeen 72'
Goal: Finn (0/1)		 Report
 Try: Grant 7' c
Reece 20' c
Parry 33' c
Lloyd 38'
Kear 57' c
Goal: Davies (5/6) 7', 20', 33', 57', 60'
Carlisle Grounds, Bray
Attendance: 1,405
Referee: Ben Thaler
FB1 Scott Grix
RW2 Bradley Hargreaves
RC3 Callum Mulkeen
LC4 Elliot Cosgrove
LW5 Casey Dunne
SO6 Ben Johnston
SH7 Liam Finn (c)
PR8 Matty Hadden
HK9 Bob Beswick
PR10 Luke Ambler
SR11 Danny Bridge
SR12 Will Hope
LF13 Oliver Roberts
Substitutes
IC14 Joseph Keyes
IC15 Robbie Mulhern
IC16 Haydn Peacock
IC17 Gareth Gill
Coach:
England Mark Aston
FB1 Elliot Kear
RW2 Rhys Williams
RC3 Michael Channing
LC4 Christiaan Roets
LW5 Dalton Grant
SO7 Ollie Olds
SH24 Courtney Davies
PR17 Anthony Walker
HK18 Steve Parry
PR10 Craig Kopczak (c)
SR11 Rhodri Lloyd
SR14 Lewis Reece
LF13 Philip Joseph
Substitutions:
IC8 Morgan Evans
IC19 Connor Farrer
IC20 Joe Burke
IC22 Regan Grace
Coach:
England John Kear

Attendances
DateGameStadiumAttendance
16 October Wales 18 – 12  ScotlandRacecourse Ground, Wrexham1,253
17 October France 31 – 14  IrelandStadium Municipal d'Albi, Albi4,681
23 October Scotland 22 – 24  IrelandNetherdale, Galashiels1,197
30 October Wales 14 – 6  FranceCardiff Arms Park, Cardiff1,028
7 November France 32 – 18  ScotlandParc des Sports, Avignon5,737
7 November Ireland 4 – 30  WalesCarlisle Grounds, Bray1,405

Broadcasting

beIN Sports broadcast both of France's home matches against Ireland and Scotland as well as their away match against Wales.[17]

References
  1. "2015 European Championship details confirmed". rlef.eu.com. 12 July 2015. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  2. "Wales rugby league stars crowned European champions". WalesOnline. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  3. "Agar names France's 23-Man Squad". rlef.eu.com. 1 October 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  4. "Ireland name strong squad for European Championship". rlef.eu. 2 October 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  5. "Three nations vie for 2015 Rugby League European Championship on Showdown Saturday". RUGBY LEAGUE PLANET. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  6. "Brough to lead Bravehearts once more". rlef.eu.com. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  7. "European Championship: Ban for Scotland's Billy McConnachie". BBC Sport. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  8. "Scotland call-up icing on cake for Whitehaven's Brooks". News & Star. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  9. "Scotland to field youngest ever side against France". LOVE RUGBY LEAGUE. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  10. "Wales name captain for Rugby League European Championship". rlef.eu.com. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  11. "Wales name squad for Rugby League European Championship". rlef.eu.com. 29 September 2015. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  12. "Matty Fozard forced to pull out of Wales squad". Sky Sports. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  13. "Coventry Bears prop James Geurtjens called up to Wales squad". Coventry Telegraph. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  14. "Wigan's Ben Flower could captain Wales in European Championship". Sky Sports. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  15. "Craig Kopczak to captain Wales in European Championship". Sky Sports. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  16. "Morgan Knowles replaces Wigan's injured prop Ben Flower". Wales Rugby League. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  17. "beIN Sports to broadcast France's European Championship games". Love Rugby League. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
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