England captain Peter Vann says Barry Coffey’s Ireland are the main danger to his side’s hopes of lifting the inaugural Four Nations Super Seniors Championship at We Are Padel Derby this weekend.
Irish skipper Coffey is the legend behind the Six Nations (unofficial European) Championship, the long-running precursor to the maiden meeting of the four home nations (with Ireland’s team drawn from across the Emerald Isle).
The highly-anticipated England v Scotland prime-time Saturday afternoon encounter will also see a padel version of ‘The Calcutta Cup’ contested.
Yet despite the fact Team Wales will be motivated to right the wrongs of their team’s defeat to the English on the rugby field last weekend, it’s Ireland that Vann fears the most.
The England skipper said: “The Irish are a relatively unknown force and that’s a worry. We haven’t competed against Barry Coffey and his mates since pre-Covid, then Barry injured himself and since then I have only seen pictures of him on social media playing in a variety of lurid coloured kits!
“In 2018 in Paris, England won the Six Nations and beat Ireland in that competition. We’d love a repeat of that, however that will only make the Irish all the more determined to take revenge.”
When it comes to Saturday afternoon’s Calcutta Cup clash with the invading Scots the history books are full of good omens for Vann’s men.
On December 6, 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie strode victorious into old Derby town only to be sent packing just two days later after support from sunnier shores failed to materialise.
Yet Vann has his own highly personal motivation for sending the Scots – ironically in the words of their own famous national dirge Flower of Scotland – ‘hame tae think again.’
The would-be padel Hammer of the Scots said: “Clearly there is a lot riding on this one as Tim Edwards [Tournament Director] will be presenting padel’s very own Calcutta Cup to the winners.
“But playing Scotland is something I am really looking forward to. For me it will bring back memories of a trip to Murrayfield back in the 90s when England lost against Scotland at rugby and I was trudging away from the ground in abject misery.
“Then these two Scots lads in Tam O’ Shanters, who’d maybe had a drop or two of Irn-Bru, were in full flow singing: ‘You can stick your chariots up you’re a###!’ So if ever there is a game I want to win it is against the Scots!
“If we do perhaps I may serenade John Byrne and his boys with a little ditty of my own! We will have to wait and see!”
As you can tell, Vann and Scotland captain John Byrne are well acquainted, having played in the inaugural Seniors World Cup together in 2018 in Spain.
“He is a Great Britain team member and a fine player but a proud Scot who will be very highly motivated to make sure his side come out on top, especially with a trophy up for grabs,” states Vann.
“Every team will be desperate to get the win but the main thing is that it will be a coming together of all four nations, men and women and a true celebration of senior padel in this country. I can say from the bottom of my heart as long as England win that will make for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend!”
Order of Play:
Saturday 0930hrs: England v Wales, Ireland vs Scotland (starting with youngest age category).
Saturday 1400hrs: England vs Scotland (Calcutta Cup), Wales vs Ireland (starting with middle age category).
Sunday 1000hrs: England vs Ireland, Wales vs Scotland (starting with oldest age category).
