SAINTS prop Luke Douglas has been named vice-captain for the Scotland World Cup team.

He is the only Saints player in a Bravehearts squad skippered by Huddersfield's Danny Brough.

Douglas' inclusion brings Saints' World Cup contingent to 11 across the selections of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France.

He will face a formidable challenge leading the Scottish pack against the formidable physical challenge of Tonga, New Zealand and Samoa.

Injuries have ruled out NRL Grand Finalists Lachlan Coote (ankle) and Kane Linnett (who requires an elbow operation) of North Queensland Cowboys, Leigh Centurions hooker Liam Hood (knee operation), Penrith Panthers pivot Peter Wallace (broken ribs and hand) and long-term injured Euan Aitken (shoulder) and Billy McConnochie (ACL).

Coach Steve McCormack has turned to a clutch of up and coming talents from the NRL and stalwarts of the Scotland scene.

Forward James Bell of NZ Warriors, Sydney Roosters’ Jarred Anderson, and Penrith Panthers’ centre or wing Lachlan Stein are included for the first time, as are Bradford Bulls’ youngster Brandan Wilkinson and Shane Toal – who scored 28 tries for Barrow in their promotion campaign – both of whom came through the Scotland Under-19 pathway.

“It’s just reward for those players,” said McCormack. “Brandan has played nearly every week in the Championship for Bradford in difficult circumstances this year and has developed massively.

"And Shane has been a stand-out in League One and topped it all by scoring the try that got Barrow promoted last week.

"They are proof that there is talent coming through our pathway.”

It will the youngest squad Scotland have sent to a World Cup, with three 20-year-olds (Wilkinson, Anderson and Hull KR forward Kieran Moran, an uncapped member of last year’s squad), 21-year-olds Stein and Toal, and three more players aged 23 or under.

“It is a young squad but that’s exciting, too,” admitted McCormack. “When we took our youngest ever team to play in France two years ago, I said some of them would be on the plane to Australia and a lot of them will be on Sunday.

Alex Walker has been outstanding for London Broncos this season, week-in, week-out and Lewis Tierney was one of Catalans’ best players in their big games at the end of the season.”

Although only six players are into double figures in appearances, McCormack has retained the core of the Scotland side that reached the 2013 World Cup quarter-finals, won the 2014 European Championships and held New Zealand to a draw in the Four Nations last autumn.

Among them are Ben Kavanagh and Danny Addy from promoted Hull KR, London Broncos’ centre Ben Hellewell and experienced Batley full-back David Scott, who started playing league at Easterhouse Panthers.

“We’ve got a big group of players – the likes of Brough, Douglas, Addy, Matty Russell, Kav – who I know well and trust,” says McCormack.

“They have always been there for Scotland and given it their all. I know they will do that again and their experience is going to be vital to help the young lads.

"We’re under no illusions how tough it’s going to be, but I also know it’s going to be fantastic.”

Scotland are also without centre Joe Wardle, who is remaining in the UK for family reasons having joined Castleford from NRL club Newcastle Knights.

Scotland RLWC2017 squad: Alex Walker (London Broncos, 3) Andrew Bentley (Toulouse Olympique, 0) Ben Hellewell (London Broncos, 15) Ben Kavanagh (Hull KR, 14) Brandan Wilkinson (Bradford Bulls, 0) Callum Phillips (Workington Town, 5) Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants, 14) Danny Addy (Hull KR, 14) Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants, 23) David Scott (Batley Bulldogs, 13) Frankie Mariano (Featherstone Rovers, 2) James Bell (New Zealand Warriors, 0) Jarred Anderson (Sydney Roosters, 0) Johnny Walker (Darlington Point Roosters,6) Kane Bentley (Toulouse Olympique, 0) Kieran Moran (Hull KR, 0) Lachlan Stein (Penrith Panthers, 0) Lewis Tierney (Wigan Warriors, 3) Luke Douglas (St Helens, 8) Matthew Russell (Warrington Wolves, 8) Oscar Thomas (Bradford Bulls, 6) Ryan Brierley (Toronto Wolfpack, 2) Sam Brooks (Featherstone Rovers, 3) Shane Toal (Barrow Raiders, 2).