Myerscough eager to return for Leeds

A POSITIVE approach has served Mike Myerscough well in recent weeks as he looks forward to a return to action for Leeds Carnegie today.
Mike MyerscoughMike Myerscough
Mike Myerscough

James Lowes’s team take their home roadshow to Hull Ionians’s Brantingham Park today as they play host in the British and Irish Cup to Welsh club Aberavon, just a week after beating them 41-22 in South Wales.

Since then, Pool 5 leaders Bristol – who got the better of Leeds in the competition back in October – have embarrassed Aberavon 78-0 in front of their own fans on Tuesday night, meaning few are expecting the Yorkshire club to encounter any problems today.

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Leeds have made seven changes to the side that won at Aberavon, including lock Myerscough, who replaces Leeds Met student Jack Barnard, who scored on his debut last week.

Elsewhere, Jonah Holmes starts on the wing, while Fred Burdon replaces Joe Barker at centre with David Doherty missing out

Fly-half Glyn Hughes returns to the starting line up allowing Alex Lozowski to move to full-back in place of Christian Georgiou.

A new-look front row sees a first start of the season for Scott Freer at hooker, with Lee Imiolek and James Currie alongside him.

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For Myerscough, it’s been a long time coming but, thanks to the help of Carnegie’s backroom team, he has managed to remain positive during his time on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

“I am delighted to be back,” said Myerscough. “It has been an up and down season so far but it’s great to be back in the mix.

“I am quite a positive guy and our conditioners Ryan Clayton and Shane Carney have been great for me.

“They have had me doing different weights and conditioning skills to keep things fresh and the time hasn’t dragged. They always have a big positive attitude as does Steve Humphries in the physio room and that keeps your spirits up.

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“Having Scott Freer and myself all returning from injury adds to the mix and gives us more strength in depth.”

Rotherham Titans also face a return fixture in the competition, hosting a Llanelli side they beat 20-16 last weekend.

While the Welsh side have made seven changes from last week’s team, there is only the one change to Titans’ 22-man squad, with tighthead prop Colin Quigley coming in for Max Argyle.

Other changes to the starting line up see Ben Sowrey, Ali Birch and Alfie To’oala come off the bench.

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As a result of last week’s victory, Titans head coach Lee Blackett is aware today’s visitors need to win to maintain their interest in the competition.

“We know they are going to pose us with a sterner test this week,” said Blackett,.

“They know they have to win to stay in and that makes them very dangerous. You only have to look at the side they have selected for the game to see they are coming here to get a result.”

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