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.
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 of the Cowboys celebrates teammates. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
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
Andy walker
Guest
Please remove your totally incorrect comments on Alex Walker, who if you had any knowledge of Scotlands team , you would know he is not the brother of JW. Real schoolboy error!
Cam
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure some of these players will never have stepped foot in Scotland, but I will stand corrected if Taine Tuaupiki can locate Lochgilphead on a map.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I genuinely feel for the countries that have missed out, RL need to do better to develop the smaller Nations. Scotland will do well to win a game, obviously Italy will be their best chance but even that is not a given.
DavMan
Roar Rookie
Purely on name alone, perhaps the Scots could claim Damien Cook, Cam Murray and Angus Crichton for starters. And maybe Steve Menzies for coach.
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
Alvaro and Vaughan out - if only there was an Italy squad preview somewhere on the site... :laughing:
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
Just park footy really, some expats but a lot of local lads too. I turned up wanting to train and they made me play halfback haha. Too small, even at that level. We did make a Grand Final with Amsterdam Cobras, great group of lads.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Scotland could well lose all their games v Australia, Fiji and Italy. While Aus and Fiji are certain. the ga,e v Italy could be well-matched as Italy have Nathan Brown, Cooper & Jack Johns, Daniel Alvaro, Paul Vaughan(?). Unfortunately for the Italians Tedesco and Rapana qualify but will play for Australia and NZ.
Redcap
Roar Guru
That's nice, Eric.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Oh, do tell about your career in Amsterdam. Who were you playing for and what was the local scene like?
Redcap
Roar Guru
Hi Eric!
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
They nominate nations, plus nations make contacts. Nicho Hynes, for example, was initially listed by many as Scotland-eligible but I asked him and he had no idea where it had come from. Others really want to play but are one generation too far out.
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
Yeah it leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth tbh. There are people on the ground doing good work but it's seriously less than when I was playing in Amsterdam. If Serbia had won that game, they would have a pretty decent NRL group and a fair few homegrowns too, much like Greece.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Scotland's a little too far even for me given the issues you mentioned, Mike. The qualifying process for this RLWC was perfunctory - understandably so, of course. I'd like to see a qualifying system that ideally filters out the likes of Scotland and gives more of an opportunity to tier three nations to nab a spot. I'm not entirely sure how that looks, but hopefully the IRL shakes things up between now and '25.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Hi Eric! Speaking on behalf of the whole of Australia now I see. That's bold.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
I reckon some of these players will be quite surprised to find out what countries they are eligible for. How’s this all worked out?, do they just put it to their managers to have their names out on what ever list of leftovers Australia doesn’t pick and are available to play, or are they actually approached by the country they could play for and asked if their interested?