By Mally (on 10/10/02)
October 10 2002

Leeds Tykes have to take a leap of faith when they play Petrarca Padova in Round 1 of the revamped European Shield - the Parker Pen Challenge Cup. Tykes kick off this season’s European campaign against a team they know little about. Tykes have not seen any videos of Padova, however a few of the Italian team’s players, such as their New Zealander No. 8 Caine Elisara are known better known names. Tykes can also count on Stewart Campbell’s knowledge of Italian rugby. Campbell spent last season at Benetton Treviso and has given the Tykes an insight into the Italian team.

“I have played against Padova and they can be a good side if they get their confidence up and keep possession.” (Yorkshire Evening Post Wed 09/10/02)

For Phil Davies the fact that the Tykes know so little about this weekend’s opposition has been good for the team.

“We have been able to concentrate on our own game and our performance. There have been occasions this year when we could have been more clinical and we have been working on those areas this week.” (Tykes Talk)

Davies is resting many of the regular faces but believes that the Tykes will not suffer by their omission.

“Unlike last year when we went to Parma in the first game of the Parker Pen Shield, there is a real strong backbone of established international players still in the side. Diego Albanese, Tristan Davies, importantly the half back pairing of Ross and Hegarty plus Cameron Mather have been part of our good start to the Zurich Premiership.”

By resting the likes of Tom Palmer, Dan Scarbrough, Ronnie Regan and Braam Van Straaten Davies has the opportunity to see what some of the other squad members can do as well as providing a welcome return from injury for Martin O’Keefe and Scott Benton.

“Those coming in have been on the fringes so far this year and they will be hungry to prove their worth to the side. Stewart Campbell and Phil Murphy looked good in our pre-season games and it will be interesting to see that partnership in the second row.”

Hernan “Is he here or not?” Senillosa, the Argentinian centre much talked about on the Independent Tykes message board makes his Tykes debut this weekend. Also making the squad is one of the up and coming academy players, Tom Rock. Having made one appearance off the bench already this season, the European competition should be good experience for the academy star.

Diego Albanese moves to fullback. Tristan Davies stays in the centres. The two regular backs are joined by Senillosa, Hall and Emmerson. Tom Rock and George Harder provide cover on the bench. Derek Hegarty retains the number 9 shirt with Scott Benton waiting in the wings, Gordon Ross partners Hegarty at 10. With Ronnie having a well-earned rest, Rob Rawlinson takes over at hooker. O’Keefe and Holt replace Shelley and Kerr at prop, though Kerr is on the bench along with Justin Wring. In the second row Stu Campbell and Phil Murphy will be out to prove that they can do as good a job as big brother Chris and Tom Palmer. Cammie Mather is the only member of the established back row three to get a start, Dan Hyde gets to put his feet up, while Zac is on the bench, in their places are James Ponton and Carl Hogg, who also captains the side.

In case some fans feel this squad re-shuffle indicates that Tykes are not taking the competition seriously, Phil Davies would like to reassure them:

“We are taking the Parker Pen Challenge Cup very seriously, especially as it provides a root in the Heineken Cup for next season. Just as importantly, winning is a habit and we need to keep that feeling going for as long as possible.”

The team in full is:

15. Diego Albanese
14. Chris Hall
13. Hernan Senillosa
12. Tristan Davies
11. Craig Emmerson
10. Gordon Ross
09. Derek Hegarty
01. Martin O’Keefe
02. Rob Rawlinson
03. Matt Holt
04. Stewart Campbell
05. Phil Murphy
06. Cameron Mather
07. James Ponton
08. Carl Hogg (c)

16. Gavin Kerr
17. Justin Wring
18. Chris Murphy
19. Isaac Feaunati
20. Scott Benton
21. Tom Rock
22. George Harder