The 2008 World Cup in Australia will only be Scotland’s second appearance in the tournament, and they will be hoping to improve on their poor show last time out in 2000.

Domestically, Scotland had never had a professional club until 2006, but their rugby league history dates back almost 100 years. In 1909 a visiting Australia side played an ‘England selection’ at Celtic Park, Glasgow.

Football and rugby union dominate in Scotland, meaning that there is little time for Rugby League. Despite the lack of a domestic game in the country until recent years, several Scottish players featured in the English game, such as Great Britain internationals Dave Valentine, David Rose and George Fairbairn. Scottish players moved south to pursue their rugby league careers in Yorkshire and Lancashire and soon became eligible to play for the "Other Nationalities" team.

In 1997, the first Domestic league was set up in Scotland, with Lomond Valley Raiders winning the first title. The Scottish league was restructured in 2006 with the aim of the domestic league in Scotland becoming a full division of the conference in the 2007 season. In 2007, Edinburgh Eagles ended the season on top to win their fifth league title. Scotland’s national stadium, Murrayfield, played host to the Challenge Cup finals in 2000 and 2002.

Road to the World Cup

Scotland had to rely on points difference as they topped Group 1, of the European section of the qualifying stages, in a two way battle with Wales.

Scotland’s qualifying campaign started with a 21-14 away victory over Wales in Bridgend. The return leg, in Glasgow was another closely fought contest with Wales coming out on top 18-16. However, Scotland booked their place in the 2008 World Cup thanks to a superior aggregate score of 37-32 over the two games.

Scotland will face France and Fiji in Pool 2, with the winner of the group facing the winner of Pool 3 in a playoff to find out who takes the final semi final spot.

World Cup history

Scotland made their first World Cup appearance in 2000 and is one they will probably want to forget.

In the 2000 tournament, Scotland featured in Pool 4 alongside Samoa, New Zealand Māori and Ireland, and finished bottom of the group after three straight defeats.

Scotland started the tournament in frustrating fashion losing by a single point in a 17-16 defeat against New Zealand Māori. This was followed by an 18-6 defeat in Dublin at the hands of Ireland. The World Cup was to end in misery for the Scots with another defeat on home soil, as Samoa came away with a 20-12 victory in Edinburgh.

Head Coach

Steve McCormack is currently the coach of the Scotland national side and was reappointed as head coach of National League One outfit Widnes Vikings in November 2007 – just nine days after quitting the Vikings to take up the post of assistant coach at Hull KR.

McCormack was first appointed by Widnes in 2005, following the Vikings’ relegation from Super League. In his first season he led the club to the National League One grand final where they were defeated by Hull KR.

In 2007, McCormack helped Widnes to lift the Northern Rail Cup with a 56-6 over his old side, Whitehaven. But he failed to gain promotion to the top division, this time losing out to Castleford in the grand final. In October 2007, he joined the coaching team at Hull KR, but just over a week later he was reinstated as head coach at Halton Stadium.

After leading Scotland to the World Cup in Australia, McCormack will be hoping his side can improve on their poor showing in 2000, and get past the group stages this time around.

Players to watch

Captain Danny Brough played an important role in Scotland’s qualification for the 2008 World Cup in Australia, with a try and four goals in their 21-14 victory in the first leg of their tie against Wales. The half back went through the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats academy set up before successful spells with Hull FC and Castleford Tigers. During his time with Hull, Brough will be most notably remembered for kicking the winning goal in the Challenge Cup final victory over Leeds Rhinos in 2005. In 2008, he moved back to the Wildcats, and made his debut, kicking four goals in the 26-24 home win over Bradford Bulls.

Although he is not one of the Super League based players in the Scotland squad, Jamie Benn could prove to be an important part of McCormack’s side in the World Cup, after scoring tries in both legs of the qualifiers against Wales. The Featherstone Rovers winger/stand off, made his debut in the World Cup qualifiers, returning to the International scene after an injury picked up playing for the National League East XIII in 1999. Benn, who spent several seasons at York Wasps and Dewsbury Rams, also featured for Castleford Tigers in the Super League in 1998 and 2000.