Stand off Danny Brough is determined to show Scotland are not simply content to make up the numbers in the Rugby League World Cup.
England coach Steve McNamara’s decision to snub the recently-crowned Man of Steel has certainly worked in Scotland’s favour.
The Huddersfield man has switched his allegiances back to Scotland, with head coach Steve McCormack naming him captain once more – five years after he led them to a surprise victory against Fiji in the last World Cup in Australia.
The 30-year-old is the ace in McCormack’s squad, which includes 11 Super League representatives and four players who compete in Australia’s National Rugby League. It is very much an unproven team with six uncapped players – Gold Coast Titans duo Matt Russell and Luke Douglas, Brisbane Broncos scrum half Peter Wallace, North Queensland Cowboys centre Kane Linnett, Bradford half back Danny Addy and Widnes prop Ben Kavanagh.
They will all be pushing for a starting berth against Tonga at Derwent Park in Workington on October 29 and then Italy at the same venue five days later.
With just one team progressing from Group C, Scotland will have to hit the ground running, needing to win both fixtures to guarantee their progression into the quarter-finals, where they would almost certainly play world champions New Zealand.
Brough acknowledges Scotland have already been dealt a blow with the withdrawal of key players due to injury, but remains hopeful they can reach the last eight.
Brough, who led Huddersfield to their first top-of-the-table finish in 81 years and also to the Super League semi-finals, said: “I just hope we get out of the group stages and show people we are a nation that can challenge.
“We’ve had injuries to James McManus and Keith Galloway but such is life. You’ve just got to get on with it.”
With Scotland playing both of their matches at Workington, Brough is keen to get the locals on side in an effort to gain as much support as possible.
The former Hull, Castleford and Wakefield man pointed to the crowds which supported them at the 2008 event Down Under, with their matches against France and Fiji drawing close to 10,000 spectators apiece.
“I really hope they get behind us. Make sure they bring their coats and gloves,” he said.
“That last time we played in Canberra, we had a cracking following. I was surprised how many Scotland supporters turned out.”
Dewsbury-born Brough qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather. He earned 10 caps but looked to have turned his back on his adopted homeland after accepting a call-up from England for their Four Nations squad two years ago. But his only appearance to date for McNamara’s men was against the Exiles last year, which does not count as an official international match.