Scottish rugby league can be traced back to the early 1900s. But it would take approximately 90 years for Scotland to formally build a national team that will now enter its second World Cup after losing all three games in their maiden appearance in 2000.
Despite the sombre effort from The Bravehearts, they only lost their group games by less than twelve points eight years ago, meaning they are a competitive side at their best.
But one can suggest the Scottish will need to rival Mel Gibson’s portrayal of William Wallace if they are any chance of being real nuisance value to the likes of Australia, England and New Zealand.
Indeed, a little crowd support would help Scotland significantly.
Rugby league is not a particularly popular sport in Scotland, with the country never having had a professional club.
This means that the national team is nowhere near as well supported as the countries’ football or rugby union sides.
Matches usually get between 1,000 and 2,000 supporters, and those figures haven’t really increased or decreased since Scotland’s first home international in 1996.
In terms of media coverage, apart from ‘Challenge Cup’ matches, league is not shown on Scottish terrestrial television. And no matches are usually broadcast on radio.
However, Scotland international matches usually get reported in national newspapers like The Scotsman and sometimes in Scottish editions of the London-based newspapers.
But like many nations worldwide, league in Scotland is attracting a growing interest, albeit at a slow rate.
In addition to the six clubs in the Scottish conference, there are a small number of other clubs.
The majority of the clubs are based in and around Glasgow, and Glasgow City Council provides funding for junior teams.
So even though Scotland’s history in league is nothing to get Scottish fans excited come late October, their World Cup squad has the capabilities to serve up a strong challenge to group rivals France and Fiji.
The Scottish will count on NRL players such as Chris Armit from the Bulldogs, Scott Logan from the Raiders, Ian Henderson from the Warriors, and Michael Robertson from NRL Premiers, the Sea Eagles.
Henderson and Robertson, in particular, have displayed terrific form at the right time of the season to suggest they’ll keep Scottish hopes well and truly alive.
Another man that could surprise many is half-back and Scottish captain, Danny Brough.
At just 25 years of age, Brough has a wealth of experience at a number of clubs, having started his playing career at Wakefield’s Academy before signing for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
The World Cup represents a great opportunity for Brough to lead his bunch of Bravehearts into a promising new chapter for Scottish rugby league.
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