SAME AGAIN FOR BRAVEHEARTS

Scotland RL will defend their European title with almost the same group of players who won the championship for the first time last year. A series of injuries have ruled out several players in the last week of the club season, leaving head coach Steve McCormack to tackle the tournament – which is celebrating its 80^th anniversary – with the players who triumphed 11 months ago.

Craig Borthwick, Mitch Stringer and Brett Carter, who all also missed out last year, have  withdrawn from the squad, as has uncapped Wakefield forward Jon Molloy, while explosive Australian-born prop Billy McConnachie will miss the first two games having been banned by the disciplinary panel down under. McConnachie, who was a stand-out for Ipswich Jets in their win over Newcastle Knights in Sunday’s State Championship Game at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, was punished for punching Jake Mamo during a fight on the hour mark. McCormack confirmed he will be considered McConnachie for selection for the final fixture in France.

Scotland have lost two of last season’s winners: Workington brothers Brett and Callum Phillips are both out, replaced by two of their team-mates from 2014, young Easterhouse Panthers utility back Louis Senter and University of Gloucestershire All Golds prop Joe McLean, who won his only cap in the victory in Ireland. 

“Having a few withdrawals through injuries, suspensions and other reasons isn’t ideal, but we are used to it happening,” admitted McCormack, who is on the coaching staff at Wigan Warriors, who play in the Super League Grand Final on Saturday. “It gives younger players that have come through our pathway a great opportunity to play for Scotland. We still have the core of the team that has represented us outstandingly well over the last few years so they know what we are all about and how to be successful. That should rub off on the young lads coming into the squad.”

Of the eight uncapped players in the squad, all have been involved with Scotland teams before at differing levels. McCormack expects to hand debuts to some of the new faces with the likes of Edinburgh Eagles backs Lewis Clarke, Finn Murphy and Finlay Hutchison jostling with Warrington centre Richard Harris and Barrow’s Shaun Toal to be the next player to step up from the Under-19s to win a senior cap.

McCormack had to cancel a planned training session last Sunday due to having so many players involved in the play-offs over the weekend: skipper Danny Brough came through Huddersfield Giants’ Super League semi-final defeat at Wigan unscathed, as did the representatives from London Broncos, Bradford Bulls and Swinton, all of whom played in finals.

“We go into camp next Tuesday in St Helens and are delighted that Thatto Heath Crusaders have again welcomed us to their club,” says McCormack. “To be able to use their pitches and facilities is great as they are in the perfect location for us ahead of facing Wales in Wrexham next Friday night.”

Scotland squad: Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), Harvey Burnett (unattached), Lewis Clarke* (Edinburgh Eagles), Sonny Esslemont (Hull KR), Dale Ferguson (Bradford Bulls), Richard Harris* (Warrington Wolves), Ben Hellewell (London Broncos), Liam Hood (Salford Red Devils), Finlay Hutchison* (Edinburgh Eagles), Ben Kavanagh (Widnes Vikings), Corbyn Kilday (Central Queensland Capras), Joe McLean (Gloucs All Golds), Finn Murphy* (Edinburgh Eagles/St Andrews University), Scott Plumridge* (Edinburgh Eagles), Craig Robertson* (Edinburgh Eagles), David Scott (Doncaster), Louis Senter (Easterhouse Panthers), Shane Toal* (Barrow Raiders), Oscar Thomas (London Broncos), Alex Walker* (London Broncos), Johnny Walker (Leigh Centurions). Adam Walker (Hull KR).

* Denotes uncapped at senior level