Thursday 2 October 2014 12:27, UK
Danny Brough has been named in Scotland’s initial 27-man squad for the European Championships.
Reigning Super League Man of Steel Brough is one of 12 members of the squad that reached the World Cup quarter-finals, while his Huddersfield team-mate Joe Wardle is set to return after missing last year's tournament through injury.
However, Warrington full-back Matty Russell will be absent as he needs to undergo surgery at the end of the Super League season after sustaining a facial injury last month.
Scotland will also be without their World Cup trio of overseas players Peter Wallace, Kane Linnett and Luke Douglas through injury and suspension.
It's important to build on last year's fantastic World Cup and look to improve all aspects of performance, both on and off the field.
New faces include Canterbury Bulldogs half-back Nathan Massey, 23, who provides back-up at the NRL Grand Finalists to Origin stars Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson, and London Broncos' 20-year-old centre Oscar Thomas.
The squad will be reduced to 20 ahead of the opening game against Wales at Workington's Derwent Park on October 17.
"I'm delighted with this Scotland squad," said head coach Steve McCormack. "As always, we've been able to name an outstanding group of senior players, along with a number of exciting youngsters who are now involved in the Scotland rugby league pathway.
"This year's European Championship will be another tough competition and we're really looking forward to getting the squad together.
“It's important to build on last year's fantastic World Cup and look to improve all aspects of performance, both on and off the field."
After their opening assignment against Wales, Scotland then face Ireland in Dublin on October 25 and finish their campaign six days later against France at Galashiels
The prize for the winners is a place alongside England, Australia and New Zealand in the 2016 Four Nations Series.
Scotland: D Addy (Bradford), J Barlow (Swinton), S Barlow (Leigh), D Brough (Huddersfield, capt), H Burnett (London Broncos), B Carter (Workngton), S Esslemont (Hull KR), R Harris (Warrington), B Hellewell (Featherstone), A Hurst (Tweed Heads Seagulls), B Kavanagh (Widnes), C Kilday (Wakefield), R Manelly (Warrington), N Massey (Canterbury Bulldogs), J McLean (Gloucestershire All Golds), I Morrison (York), L Paterson (York), B Phillips (Workington), C Phillips (Workington), D Scott (Doncaster), J Stewart (Hull KR), O Thomas (London Broncos), S Toal (Barrow), A Walker (Hull KR), A Walker (London Broncos), J Walker (Leigh), J Wardle (Huddersfield).
