Scottish side is up next in the World Cup previews and with a small group of just 3, they’re as good a chance as any to progress to the next stage and with some talented players at their disposal, they’ll have quite a decent side.
Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls), Sam Barlow (Halifax), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), Brett Carter (Workington Town), Luke Douglas (Gold Coast Titans), Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants), Ben Fisher (London Broncos), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers), Andrew Henderson (Sheffield Eagles), Ian Henderson (Catalans Dragons), Alex Hurst (London Broncos), Ben Kavanagh (Widnes Vikings), Kane Linnett (Gold Coast Titans), Rhys Lovegrove (Hull KR), Gareth Moore (Batley Bulldogs), Brett Phillips (Workington Town), Matthew Russell (Gold Coast Titans), David Scott (Featherstone Rovers), Mitchell Stringer (Sheffield Eagles), Alex Szostak (Sheffield Eagles), Adam Walker (Hull KR), Jonathan Walker (Hull KR), Peter Wallace (Brisbane Broncos), Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats)
Head coach: Steve McCormack
Coming up against two strong sides in Italy and Tonga won’t be easy, but the Scots will be confident that they can get something out of the games they’ll play and make it to the next round.
With NRL players Luke Douglas, Matt Russell and Kane Linnett in the team – all of whom are raring to go for the Scottish national side – coupled with other Super League players, the side is well equipped to make a decent fist of things at the World Cup.
With an impressive core group of players and players known for producing stellar games, the Scottish team will be after cohesion, connection and playing together as a unit.
With a rusty first up game and subsequent loss to PNG, they’ll be out to ensure that the cobwebs are gone when the tournament itself starts next week.
Overall, Scotland should progress past the group stage but with talented teams expected to make it to the next round, getting past them will be a tall order.
The side I’d go with for Scotland:
1. Alex Hurst
2. Matthew Russell
3. Ben Hellewell
4. Kane Linnett
5. David Scott
6. Peter Wallace
7. Danny Brough
8. Luke Douglas
9. Ian Henderson
10. Ben Kavanagh
11. Sam Barlow
12. Rhys Lovegrove
13. Dale Ferguson
14. Adam Walker
15. Oliver Wilkes
16. Jonathan Walker
17. Alex Szostak