On the day Scotland voted to remain in the United Kingdom, their rugby league organisation confirmed that they are fully committed to being a strong part of the game in Great Britiain and across Europe and look forward to continuing to working with the Rugby Football League and the European Federation.

“Scotland Rugby League works closely with the Rugby Football League, the governing body for the game throughout the UK,” said Hogg, the former Harlequins RL chairman who lives in North Berwick. “We are striving to grow as a sport in Scotland and as an organisation need and want the support of the RFL. We are also committed to becoming a strong member of the European Federation with our national teams competing in all available competitions. For example, our Under-19s will play Ireland and England this autumn. However we still see ourselves as a part of British Rugby League.”

As they prepare for the European Championships next month, Scotland head coach Steve McCormack vowed that the Bravehearts will be competitive in the international arena. The newly-appointed Wigan Warriors’ head of youth performance, who has been Scotland’s head coach for a decade, has secured most of his World Cup squad for the clashes with Wales, Ireland and France in October.

As they prepare for the European Championships next month, Scotland head coach Steve McCormack vowed that the Bravehearts will be competitive in the international arena. The newly-appointed Coach and Player Development Manager at Super League champions Wigan Warriors, who has been Scotland’s head coach for a decade, has secured most of his World Cup squad for the clashes with Wales, Ireland and France in October.

“So far 13 of the squad from the World Cup last year have confirmed they are available with another handful awaiting verdicts on operations,” said McCormack, who led his team to the quarter-finals last year. “We should end up with at least half a dozen Super League regulars in the squad and some exciting up and coming young talent. We’ve also got a couple of players back in the reckoning who missed the World Cup through injury.”

Scotland will probably be without the NRL trio from last year: Luke Douglas is suspended, Peter Wallace is injured and Kane Linnett might need an operation. However, star man and captain Danny Brough is scheduled to play. Huddersfield half-back Brough, who this week won the Albert Goldthorpe Award as Super League’s most consistently excellent player for the third time, needs to come through the play-offs unscathed. He missed the Giants defeat at Wigan last night through injury but hopes to return for their next game.

Scotland play Wales at Workington on Friday 17 October, Ireland in Dublin on Saturday 25 October and France at Galashiels on Friday 31 October. Tickets are available now from www.scotlandrl.com

Scotland RL press – Gavin Willacy 07796 442041