Grammar’s Schosser out to secure World Cup berth

International: Prop part of Germany squad for final round of qualification

Matthias Schosser will miss Aberdeen Grammar’s trip to Hamilton tomorrow – as he is trying to secure Germany’s first World Cup place.

The prop jetted out to Heidelberg yesterday for a training camp with the German national side, ahead of the World Cup repechage tournament in France.

Germany will compete with Hong Kong, Canada and Kenya for a spot in Japan next year for the World Cup. They open up against Hong Kong on November 11, face Canada on November 17 and Kenya on November 23.

Schosser was born in Germany but moved to New Zealand at the age of three and achieving a World Cup place would fulfil a dream.

He said: “It would mean a lot. It’s always something I wanted to play in; I didn’t think it would be for Germany but it would make my family proud, my dad Jurgen in particular. He’s always wanted it.

“I try go see my dad’s side of the family when I can. I get to see them after games and stay with them. They don’t really know what rugby is about but they are slowly learning.

“We’ve definitely got a chance of qualifying. We are stronger than we were before. I’ve never played Hong Kong or Kenya but Canada will be tough, as they’ve been to a World Cup.”

The Germans will play a warm-up match this Saturday against Portugal before heading out to France. Schosser made his debut in February 2015 against Georgia and has made seven appearances. They play in the European Nations Cup and are ranked 29th in the world.

Rugby in Germany dates back before the second World War and despite existing in a footballdominated country of 80 million people, investment in the sport has sparked a growth in popularity. The Wild Rugby Academy in Heidelberg, backed to the tune of 30 million euros by the owner of the Capri- Sun drinks company Dr Hans-Peter Wild, has seen a youth structure implemented and first-teamers visiting schools to promote the sport.

Schosser added: “We’re trying to spread rugby around Germany. It’s not always easy to get time off work to make training camps and games, but Grammar are always very happy for me to go and play.” Orkney captain Scott Rendall believes tomorrow’s trip to bottom of the table Haddington gives his side the ideal opportunity to claim their first National 3 away victory of the season.

The islanders have racked up two wins from their last three matches, with home victories against Murrayfield Wanderers and Carrick moving them up to ninth in the table.

With Haddington still searching for their first victory of the season, hooker Rendall says his side will make the trip to East Lothian in buoyant mood.

Rendall said: “We couldn’t really ask for a better opportunity coming off the back of a good home win.

“We are going into this away fixture with them bottom of the league, and we are definitely looking forward to it.

“We couldn’t ask for a better opportunity coming off a good win””

“Training has been good this week and we are looking like having a good group of boys going away it’s amazing what a couple of good results seems to do.

“It will be good to have that bit of depth, with players that are able to come off the bench and change the game rather than some guys who are just coming to fill the jersey.”

Rendall says the recent form has come as no surprise to the Pickaquoy outfit, adding: “We have got to go into every game with a certain confidence about us to have any chance of winning.

“We have always been quietly confident but the last few results have definitely given us that bit extra.

“In all of the games so far we have not had any real thrashings, but we have turned that into some good results in the last three weeks.”

Orkney are on 14 points, level with Hillhead Jordanhill.

FOCUSED: Matthias Schosser will miss out on Aberdeen Grammar’s weekend game as he is in the Germany squad bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the first time.