Brierley pulls out of Scotland squad through injury

Toronto Wolfpack’s marquee player Ryan Brierley has been forced to withdraw from Scotland’s World Cup squad due to a hand injury.

The 25-year-old missed the end of Toronto’s League 1 season with a finger issue but he was able to recover in time to make Scotland’s game against New Zealand in early November.

But another problem has seen the half-back forced to take himself out of Steve McCormack’s Bravehearts squad, just hours before they were due to fly out to Australia.

Brierley, nicknamed Kes by his teammates, made his international debut for Scotland last year and played two games in the 2016 Four Nations, scoring one try.

And Brierley admitted that he was gutted to not be going the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

In an Instagram post, Brierley said: “Absolutely devastated to have to drop out of the Scotland squad, was my dream to play in a world cup, especially in Australia but I will be supporting the boys from back home. Good luck brothers.”

Scotland are expected to announce a replacement for the former Leigh Centurions and Huddersfield Giants ace in the next day or two.