Tierney and Russell included in young Scotland squad for World Cup

Lewis Tierney and Matty Russell have been named in Steve McCormack’s young Scotland squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

Wigan Warriors winger Tierney, 22, impressed in the last couple months of the season on loan at Catalans Dragons while Russell has played well in a struggling Warrington Wolves outfit in 2017.

Huddersfield Giants ace Danny Brough will captain the Bravehearts once again, with St Helens’ Luke Douglas being named vice-captain.

Injuries have taken their toll on McCormack’s squad though, with NRL Grand Finalists Lachlan Coote (ankle) and Kane Linnett (who requires an elbow operation) of North Queensland Cowboys, Leigh Centurions hooker Liam Hood (knee operation), Penrith Panthers pivot Peter Wallace (broken ribs and hand) and long-term injured Euan Aitken (shoulder) and Billy McConnochie (ACL) all being ruled out.

Castleford Tigers’ Joe Wardle has declared that he is staying in the UK, owing to family reasons.

And as a result, there are seven uncapped players in the Bravehearts’ World Cup squad, including brothers Kane and Andrew Bentley of Toulouse Olympique.

James Bell of New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters’ Jarred Anderson and Penrith Panthers three-quarter Lachlan Stein are also included for the first time as well as Bradford Bulls youngster Brandan Wilkinson and Barrow Raiders’ try-scoring machine Shane Toal, both of whom came through the Scotland Under-19s system.

It is the youngest ever squad that Scotland have ever sent to a World Cup, with eight players being under the age of 23.

Scotland 24-man squad: Alex Walker (London Broncos), Andrew Bentley (Toulouse Olympique), Ben Hellewell (London Broncos), Ben Kavanagh (Hull KR), Brandan Wilkinson (Bradford Bulls), Callum Phillips (Workington Town), Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants), Danny Addy (Hull KR), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), David Scott (Batley Bulldogs), Frankie Mariano (Featherstone Rovers), James Bell (New Zealand Warriors), Jarred Anderson (Sydney Roosters), Johnny Walker (Darlington Point Roosters), Kane Bentley (Toulouse Olympique), Kieran Morgan (Hull KR), Lachlan Stein (Penrith Panthers), Lewis Tierney (Wigan Warriors), Luke Douglas (St Helens), Matty Russell (Warrington Wolves), Oscar Thomas (Bradford Bulls), Ryan Brierley (Toronto Wolfpack), Sam Brooks (Featherstone Rovers), Shane Toal (Barrow Raiders).

The Bravehearts face Tonga in their first game at the tournament on Sunday 29 October.