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Scotland World Cup squad: Bravehearts need to be brave and then some to stand chance in horror group

29th September, 2022
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29th September, 2022
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Scotland have had an, ahem, interesting history at the Rugby League World Cup. In 2017, they were absolutely thrashed by New Zealand and Tonga, but grabbed an unexpected draw with Samoa.

They also had three players sent home for being too drunk to get on a plane, which, I guess, is what happens when you pick a guy called Johnny Walker. Less impressive that one of the other culprits was Danny Brough, by far their best player.

In 2016, they drew with New Zealand in what is their best result ever, and in 2013, they made it out of the group unbeaten. In 2008 they were unremarkable, except for a stunning punch up between Jason Bukuya and Ian Henderson, and in 2000, they lost every game.

Those days are passed now, and in the past they must remain. This Scotland side are not anywhere near on the level of a squad that included Brough, then the reigning Super League Man of Steel, plus Peter Wallace and a solid core of talent.

Now, Scotland Rugby League is something of a husk. Let’s be real here: they shouldn’t be in this World Cup, because they don’t really qualify for IRL membership given the low level of local participation.

Countries like Serbia – who Scotland beat in the qualifiers – would have a justifiable claim that the five park footy-level sides that currently constitute the domestic competition should result in their membership being downgraded.

As things stand, this will be an entirely heritage-based side with little pathways – unlike Greece, Lebanon, Ireland, Jamaica and Italy.

That heritage, however, is pretty decent. Campbell Graham is probably their most recognisable talent and (at least when I asked him) was super enthusiastic about playing. Then he opted out and will now likely be in the Kangaroos squad.

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Coach Nathan Graham has them out last year to face Jamaica without NRL talent, though they are in a group with Australia and Fiji, they will fancy their chances against Italy in their opener.

Right, headline names. There’s Euan Aitken, Kane Linnett and James Bell, once a Warrior but now at St Helens.

From Super League, you get Salford’s Sam Luckley, a prop, and halfback Ryan Brierley, as well as Wakefield’s Liam Hood at hooker and Matty Russell will play on a wing.

Lachlan Walmsley, a former Scone Thoroughbred, is currently racking up tries at better than one per game for Halifax and comes with the added bonus of being ginger and having a lot of freckles, so they don’t even need to check eligibility. He’s in.

Lachlan Coote NRL Rugby League North Queensland Cowboys Finals 2017

Lachlan Coote of the Cowboys celebrates teammates. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

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Jack Teanby, Ben Hellewell, Charlie Emslie, Shane Toal and Dale Ferguson all should be there from the lower leagues, and from Australia, Kyle Schneider of Mackay, Luke Bain from Parra lower grades and Logan Bayliss-Brow, a Broncos prospect, are in.

Guy Graham, Bayley Liu, Kieran Buchanan, Alex Walker, Calum Gahan and Davey Dixon fill out the squad.

The biggest in, perhaps, is a Scottish domestic play: Edinburgh Eagles captain Lewis Clarke is in.

Predicted Squad

1 Matty Russell
2 Lewis Clarke
3 Calum Gahan
4 Luke Bain
5 Lachlan Walmsley
6 Bailey Hayward
7 Ryan Brierley
8 Bayley Liu
9 Liam Hood
10 Sam Luckley
11 Kane Linnett
12 Euan Aitken
13 James Bell
14 Kyle Schneider
15 Dale Ferguson
16 Guy Graham
17 Logan Bayliss-Brow
18 Kieran Buchanan
19 Alex Walker
20 Charlie Emslie
21 Shane Toal
22 Jack Teanby
23 Ben Hellewell
24 Davey Dixon

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