JIMMY Lowes has paid tribute to Danny Addy as he returns to action with defending champions Scotland in tonight’s European Championship opener against Wales.

The Bravehearts face John Kear’s side in Wrexham as they bid to retain their title ahead of next year’s Four Nations against England, Australia and New Zealand.

Addy and Bulls team-mate Dale Ferguson were key figures during Scotland’s World Cup campaign two years ago.

Addy enjoyed an outstanding season for the Bulls but it ended in heartbreak when he missed a late penalty which would have levelled the scores in the Million Pound Game at Wakefield.

Lowes believes Addy will benefit from his time in camp with Steve McCormack’s men, saying: “Danny was heartbroken after the Wakefield game but, like I said to him, we shouldn’t have been in a position where that conversion was crucial.

“We can’t blame that kick because we had opportunities throughout the game to win it.

“As a goal-kicker, you put yourself out there and have to deal with the pressures of that.

“You’re going to miss some crucial kicks and you’re going to nail some crucial kicks, so it’s just part and parcel of being a kicker.

“For Danny, he just needs to move on pretty quickly and he will do.

“Being involved with Scotland will be a great distraction for him and by the time he gets back to us in pre-season, he will be ready to go again.

“Wakefield certainly won’t be a lost memory but it’s also something we need to put behind us pretty quickly as a group.”

Addy, Ferguson and new Bulls recruit Oscar Thomas could all feature for Scotland tonight, but Bradford prop Dan Fleming misses out for Wales with a knee injury.

Indeed, there could be a number of Bradfordians on display at the Racecourse Ground as Craig Kopczak will captain Wales and Liam Hood, Ben Hellewell and Jonny and Adam Walker are in the Scotland squad.

Addy, meanwhile, won the Coach’s Player of the Year at the Bulls after performing admirably at half-back for large chunks of the season.

Lowes added: “Danny is just a natural sportsman. You put a racket or a golf club in his hand and he’s got great coordination and everything else that goes with being a natural sportsman.

“He likes to play rugby and he understands the roles he has to perform within the positions he has played over the year. That’s a great skill set to have.”