Scotland name inexperienced squad for Four Nations

Scotland have named seven uncapped players in their 19-man squad to face Australia for the first time in the opening game of the Four Nations on Friday night.

Coach Steve McCormack has included Super League Grand Final winner Lewis Tierney of Wigan, World Club Challenge-winner Lachlan Coote from North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra centre Euan Aitken.

Aitken missed Scotland's warm-up match against Cumbria last Friday with a sore hamstring while Coote was rested.

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Also in line to make their debuts are Huddersfield half-back Ryan Brierley, former Castleford back rower Frankie Mariano and Australia-based forwards Billy McConnachie and Sheldon Powe-Hobbs, who both play in the Queensland Cup.

Prop forward Luke Douglas, who is moving from Gold Coast Titans to St Helens for 2017, arrived in camp late after being granted more time to spend with his family following the birth of his son Archibald five weeks ago and admits he has come catching up to do.

"I wasn't sure originally when all the boys were coming over, but when I saw on social media that some were already there, I was feeling I might have missed out a little bit," said Douglas, who made his Scotland debut in the 2013 World Cup.

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"But the management team assured me that they would rather I spent quality time with our newborn. I am a bit nervous about whether I am underdone or not.

"When our first round of the finals in Australia finished with us being knocked out, I tried to do a little bit of training.

"But it's hard to get motivated doing it by yourself, especially when the majority of the guys you usually train with are off on end of season celebrations or holidays. So it's been a bit of a catch up."

The Bravehearts, who qualified for the Four Nations by winning the 2014 European Cup, are the 250-1 outsiders and Douglas is under no illusions over the daunting challenge they face.

"It's going to be a tough one at the weekend," he added. "To a certain extent, we can control a bit of the speed of the game by doing things to slow them down and play them at our speed.

"But you are bound to be nervous about when we lose the ball how hard it is going to be and how long it's going to be gone.

"I and the other NRL players who have played against them can give feedback to Steve on their strengths and weaknesses, as we are playing against these players each week, and hopefully our experience in the NRL can match some of their talent.

"It's a great opportunity as Australia - in fact all three teams we are playing - are the best in the world and it will be tough, but hopefully we can be really competitive on Friday night."

Scotland's 19-man squad:

D Addy (Bradford), E Aitken (St George Illawarra), R Brierley (Huddersfield), S Brooks (Widnes), D Brough (Huddersfield, capt), L Coote (North Queensland Cowboys), L Douglas (Gold Coast Titans), D Ferguson (Bradford), B Hellewell (London Broncos), L Hood (Leigh), B Kavanagh (Bradford), K Linnett (North Queensland Cowboys), F Mariano (Castleford), B McConnachie (Ipswich Jets), C Phillips (Workington), S Powe-Hobbs (Northern Pride), M Russell (Warrington), L Tierney (Wigan), A Walker (Hull KR).

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