Rugby League: Clough in dreamland

Aug 25 2007

ST HELENS-BORN back rower Paul Clough was in dreamland after getting the nod to play in today’s Carnegie Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

The England academy international, who is a month away from his 20th birthday, got the vote ahead of former Wigan prop Bryn Hargreaves when Saints coach Daniel Anderson finalised his line-up to take on Catalans Dragons.

The call-up will help Clough erase the memory of 1997 when he was unable to get a ticket to cheer his home-town heroes to their Wembley win over Bradford Bulls.

“We only got two tickets and my brother, being the oldest, got first dibs on that and obviously one of my parents had to go with him,” he said.

“I got left out last time but thankfully I’ve not been left out this time.”

Hargreaves, who played in all four previous rounds, makes way for New Zealand Test prop Jason Cayless, who missed the semi-final against Bradford due to compassionate leave.

“It’s disappointing for Bryn but it’s a better balance for us,” explained Anderson, who has been taken aback by Clough’s impressive contribution so far this season.

“He’s raised his level this year. I didn’t have the expectations that he would deliver so much but he’s played 19 straight games and he just continues to improve.”

Clough, who made just two appearances in 2006, has been an ever-present since breaking into the team in April but admits he endured a nervous time before getting the nod from his coach.

“All week it’s been playing on my mind whether I’d be picked or not,” he revealed. “Nerves started in the shower after the Salford game wondering if you’ve done enough to get picked.

“Being the youngest, there was always going to be a question mark over me. It was me or Bryn and I feel sorry for the guy. The decent thing I can do is turn out a good performance tomorrow and show the the faith that the coach has in me. It’s a dream come true. At the start of the season, I never thought I would be even in contention for the squad for Wembley.

“It means a lot to me, I’m really happy. It’s the first game back at Wembley and the first time at Wembley as well for myself.

“I’ve seen it on TV and it looks magnificent but being inside, it’s world class. Even though it took a long time to build, it’s worth it.”

Clough admits all the pressure will be on the holders as they seek to emulate the class of ’97.

“To win the Challenge Cup two years in a row shows what a great side it was back then and hopefully we can be a great side this year and repeat last year’s success,” he said.

While the Catalans have endured a disruptive week, with two flights in four days and injury doubts over several of their key players, Anderson admits his side’s preparation could hardly have gone better.

“It’s been very smooth,” he said at today’s traditional pre- final walkabout. “The boys been extremely attentive but they’re quite relaxed. They’re not using up too much nervous energy.”

The Dragons’ loss of playmaker Casey McGuire through injury is a body blow for the underdogs but Anderson believes in Australian State of Origin player Adam Mogg they have an ideal replacement.

“We prepared for McGuire but they probably knew early in the week that he wasn’t going to play,” he said.

“We played against them without him a couple of weeks and they spanked us.

“Mogg kicks the ball, he passes the ball, he got a lot of touches in that game in Perpignan.

“He is going to be in most players’ team of the year this time, he’s that good for them. If he is touching the ball a lot more, he is going to be very, very dangerous.”