Scotland tweak side for England
Ryan Brierley, Sheldon Powe-Hobbs and Billy McConnachie have been left out of Scotland‘s side to face England.
The Phillips brothers of Workington Town and Batley fullback Dave Scott have been recalled into a 19-man squad for their first ever meeting with England at Coventry on Saturday.
Hooker Callum Phillips missed the Ladbrokes Four Nations opener with Australia after being ruled out with concussion, having received a blow to the head in the dying minutes of Scotland’s warm up win at Barrow the week before, a game in which he was considered Scotland’s man of the match.
The 24 year-old Cumbrian returns to make his fifth international appearance, replacing try-scoring debutant Brierley as an option in the pivots.
Older brother Brett comes into the 19 along with versatile back Scott, who scored two tries in the game at Barrow – both having watched the Australia defeat from the stand at Hull KR.
Veteran forward Mariano, who has just been released by Castleford Tigers, and young Wests Tigers centre Tyler Cassel, are both vying for their debuts having been 18th and 19th men last week.
“Callum has been really good in camp,” coach Steve McCormack said.
“He has been one of the stand-out players for me so far and has really been in the mix with the NRL and Super League players.
“He didn’t play last week due to a head injury but he will get his chance this time around and we have a fully fit squad so we might make a few changes.
“He has taken everything in his stride. He is a lad who I know really well anyway, he has never let us down when he has played plus he is a tough player.
“Playing in a Scotland v England game in the Four Nations will not faze him one bit.
“Ryan Brierley scored a great try against Australia and he will get even better every time he plays.
“He showed bits last week of what he could do and I think he is a great player for the future.”
Lachlan Coote or Danny Addy are set to partner Danny Brough in the halves.
“Broughie is Broughie,” McCormack said.
“He is buzzing around camp and everyone knows what he is like! I thought he showed some really good touches on Friday night that he is up for a big tournament.
“His kicking game is superb but we need to make sure we hold the ball more.
“Playing for England might have been an ambition of his a couple of years ago but he is totally committed to us.
“He might add a little spice on Saturday and will be ready for it more than anyone. His thoughts are all on Scotland, he is not bothered about England in the slightest.
“It is important that Broughie leads us well because he is a world-class talent.
“The Scotland squad this year is very young so it is massive to have players like Danny Brough involved.
“Broughie, Lachlan Coote and Luke Douglas have led the team really well so far so the senior players are really important and a big part of our side.”
Scotland squad v England:
Alphabetical players with age/caps: Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls, 25/12), Euan Aitkin (St George Illawarra Dragons, 21/1), Sam Brooks (Widnes Vikings, 23/2), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants, 33/21), Tyler Cassel (Wests Tigers, 21/0), Lachlan Coote (North Queensland Cowboys, 26/1), Luke Douglas (Gold Coast Titans, 30/6), Dale Ferguson (Bradford Bulls, 28/12), Ben Hellewell (London Broncos, 24/13), Liam Hood (Leigh Centurions, 24/5), Ben Kavanagh (Bradford Bulls, 28/12), Kane Linnett (North Queensland Cowboys, 27/5), Frankie Mariano (Castleford Tigers, 29/0), Brett Phillips (Workington Town, 28/8), Callum Phillips (Workington Town, 24/4), Matthew Russell (Warrington Wolves, 23/6), Dave Scott (Batley Bulldogs, 23/13), Lewis Tierney (Wigan Warriors, 22/1), Adam Walker (Hull KR, 25/12).