Euan Aitken has been named in the provisional Scottish line-up for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
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The St George Illawarra centre has ties to Scotland through his grandfather and already has three Test hats for the nation after joining the Bravehearts in the Four Nations.
A number of potential debutants were named in the extended line-up with Aitken a potential starter for the side.
However, at the time of publishing the News Weekly understands there are some injury concerns for the young player, but had not received reply from the Dragons.
Head coach Steve McCormack has also named a strong contingent of his tried and trusted Bravehearts, who took Scotland to the quarter-finals in 2013, won the 2014 European Championship and drew with then world-number one nation New Zealand last November.
The squad is led as ever by joint record-appearance-maker Danny Brough, who has played in 23 internationals for Scotland since McCormack handed him his debut in his first game in charge back in 2004.
“Danny played in my first game and has been virtually ever-present since,” explains McCormack. “It would be very easy for Danny, a top professional, former Man of Steel, to have four weeks off at the end of every season and go on holiday but people like Danny, and those other players, make a firm commitment to us every year.
“It’s tough on their families and its tough on their bodies but that’s the beauty of what we’ve got at Scotland: a really strong bunch, totally committed to the cause.”
The coach has also named a potential five players from the NRL in his initial team with the Scots to whittle down the roster ahead of their first World Cup clash on Australian soil on October 29 against Tonga.
Aitken said it was his dream to one day pull on the Australian jumper, but will not shy away from the chance to wear the Bravehearts’ colours once more and pay homage to his heritage for the Scottish team.