The Senior Mens National Team Programme is delighted to announce that the following players have been selected to represent their country in the forthcoming Novotel Cup tournament in Luxembourg.

Setters

Fraser Brown - Leeds Carnegie
Gavin Watt - AS Cannes

Opposites

Niall Collin - City of Edinburgh
Callum Green - Leeds Carnegie

Middle Blockers

Stewart Caldwell - Kilmarnock Blaze
Ruari Isted - London Malory Eagles
Mark Lawson - Kilmarnock Blaze

Passer Hitters

Seain Cook - Leeds Carnegie
Ryan MacLeod - Glasgow Mets
Jamie McHardy - City of Edinburgh
Robin Miedzybrodski - Leeds Carnegie

Libero

Mike Penny - City of Edinburgh

There are first-time callups for Fraser Brown and Mark Lawson, while Robin Miedzybrodski returns to the squad having spent the summer on the international beach volleyball circuit in his effort to qualify for the London Olympics.

The selection of 17 year old Lawson represents a meteoric rise for the player, who starred in the recent UK School Games.  Scoland head coach Simon Loftus commented “I know Mark is only young, but he's worked hard at his game and I'm confident that he's ready to make the step up. I can see him being a big part of this programme for years to come.”

Meanwhile, Brown (20) is rewarded for his performances in running the Leeds Carnegie offence that is currently undefeated in the English top flight. Loftus stated “We have an excellent crop of young players all coming through at the same time, and this is testimony to the great work that's being done in clubs up and down the country.  My ethos has always been that if you're good enough you're old enough.  The tournament in Luxembourg gives us a good chance to have a look at what we have available for the European Championships later in the year.  That said, the players who've been left out know they're still very much in the frame for selection, and it makes my job just that bit more interesting come the real test in June”

Scotland face off against the hosts Luxembourg, England and Denmark, in the tournament, which runs from 6th to 8th January.