Scotland have confirmed Huddersfield Giants captain Danny Brough will lead them at the 2013 World Cup.
The 30-year-old goalkicking half-back captained the Scots in the last World Cup in Australia in 2008 but then switched his allegiance to England.
He played for England against the Exiles last season but was omitted from coach Steve McNamara’s elite training squad at the start of the year and, despite a stellar season in which he has been nominated for Man of Steel , it became clear he would not be part of England’s World Cup plans.
He was welcomed back into the Scottish fold by head coach Steve McCormack and, as expected, will lead them into battle when they open their campaign against Tonga at Workington on October 29.
“We are lucky to have a number of outstanding players representing us in this year’s World Cup,” said McCormack.
“Danny has had a fantastic season both individually and as captain of the Huddersfield Giants.
“His leadership quality is something I’ve kept an eye on during the year and he is an ideal choice to lead us into the competition.”
It was McCormack who gave Brough his Scotland debut in his first game as coach in 2004 against Ireland, when Brough was a youngster at York.
Brough, who qualifies through a Glasgow-born grandfather, has won 10 Scotland caps and scored 59 points.
The news may soften the blow of Huddersfield’s 30-22 defeat by Warrington in the Super League play-off semi-final on Thursday night which ended the Giants’ most successful Super League season.
Brough was this week named the Rugby League Writers’ Association player of the year and will discover on Monday if he is the 2013 Man of Steel winner. Jamie Peacock of Leeds and Wigan’s Sean O’Loughlin are the others on the shortlist.
McCormack will announce his World Cup squad next Wednesday.
But Giants centre Joe Wardle is not expected to feature as he is set to undergo post-season surgery.
