Giants captain Danny Brough will lead Scotland in this autumn’s European Championship campaign – despite head coach Paul Anderson keen for his playmaker to have a rest!
The 31-year-old goalkicking half-back and clubmate Joe Wardle have been named in an initial 26-man squad.
Scotland coach Steve McCormack will reduce that squad to 20 ahead of the opening game against Wales at Workington’s Derwent Park on Friday, October 17.
But Brough and Wardle are guaranteed to avoid the cut, with the Giants’ talismanic No6 ready to continue to captain his country after leading them to last season’s World Cup quarter-finals and Huddersfield Player of the Year Wardle regarded as a main strike weapon in the centres.
Wardle missed Scotland’s World Cup campaign 12 months ago to undergo shoulder and knee surgery, and has reaped the rewards by producing an outstanding 2014, with Anderson convinced a similar break from international duty would have benefited Brough.
“I’m not that keen on Danny playing,” revealed Anderson, whose club captain ruptured a testicle in last month’s win over Hull FC and didn’t look fully fit when he returned to action after a two-game lay-off in last Friday’s 18-16 home play-off defeat to Catalan Dragons.
“But he was adamant he wanted to be involved, and so we’ve allowed him to go. You don’t really want to stop your players representing their country, particularly when they’re so keen.”
Also in the Scotland squad are former Giants Sam Barlow, Iain Morrison and Adam Walker, with Scotland following their opening fixture against Wales with a clash against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, October 25 and home game against France at Galashiels on Friday, October 31.
And Scotland boss McCormack is delighted with the squad he’ll have at his disposal.
“It’s great news,” said McCormack, who is in his 10th year as the national coach.
“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.”
Scotland: Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls), Josh Barlow (Swinton Lions), Sam Barlow (Leigh Centurions), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), Harvey Burnett (London Broncos), Brett Carter (Workington Town), Sonny Esslemont (Hull KR), Richard Harris (Warrington Wolves), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers), Alex Hurst (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Ben Kavanagh (Widnes Vikings), Corbyn Kilday (Wakefield Trinity), Nathan Massey (Canterbury Bulldogs), Joe McLean (Gloucestershire All Golds), Iain Morrison (York City Knights), Lee Paterson (York City Knights), Brett Phillips (Workington Town), Callum Phillips (Workington Town), David Scott (Doncaster), Jack Stewart (Hull KR), Oscar Thomas (London Broncos), Shane Toal (Barrow Raiders), Adam Walker (Hull KR), Alex Walker (London Broncos), Jonathan Walker (Leigh Centurions), Joe Wardle (Huddersfield Giants).
