Scotland begin student development work for World Cup

Scotland Rugby League have begun their preparations in earnest for the various Rugby League World Cups taking place in 2017 in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The Scots are set to send three teams Down Under, with the Student team and the Wheelchair team travelling alongside the senior squad.

In order to maximise their chances of sending the best squads possible to the tournaments, the SRL is holding Student and Under-19 development days in the new year.

The Students development days will be run alongside the U19’s in order to make the best possible use of resources.

An Exiles day for players based outwith Scotland is taking place on January 24, while a session for Scottish residents will take place on February 7.

Venues for both days are yet to be confirmed.

Scotland Students head coach Nathan Graham is expected to draw the core of his World Cup squad from these development days.

“We are looking forward to the 2016 development days, last year we had 100 players attend the Student and U19 days and unearthed some quality players,” said SRL performance manager Ollie Cruickshank.

“We are looking to spread the net out further this year and hope to expand our pool of players.

“With the Student World Cup in 2017 we are looking to build a squad capable to performing out in Australia.”

Four players have played for the full Scotland side after making their debuts for the Students or Under-19s in 2015, with another two called up from the 2014 group.

The Student Four Nations will be held in Scotland in June.

The hosts will play two warm-up matches ahead of the tournament, with opposition to be confirmed.

The Under-19’s will participate in a five-match programme, in which they will face Cumbria U19’s, England Colleges and England Lions, with two more fixtures to be confirmed in the near future.