Brough targets England spot - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Brough targets England spot

Danny Brough, who captained Scotland to their historic World Cup win over Fiji in November, is to turn his back on the Scots and throw in his lot with England.

The 26-year-old Wakefield scrum-half has told Scotland coach Steve McCormack he will not be available for the European Nations Cup in October and November involving Ireland, Wales, Russia, Serbia and Lebanon.

Instead Brough - who was born in England but qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather - wants to push for a place in Tony Smith's England team, who meet Australia, New Zealand and France in the new Four Nations Series at the same time.

"I'll be putting myself forward to play for England," Brough told the Rugby League World magazine.

"If you want to be the best you have to play against the best, and that's Australia and New Zealand.

"If I stick with Scotland, I won't get the chance to play against these nations."

Brough's decision will be a major blow to the Rugby Football League's plans for the international game.

They disbanded the Great Britain team before the World Cup in order to help Wales, Ireland and Scotland develop their own identity.

Brough added: "I've spoken to Steve (McCormack) about it and he understands. He gave me my chance to play for Scotland as a National League Two player when I was at York.

"Things have changed since then, though. They've done away with the Great Britain team which means that, if you want to play against Australia and New Zealand on a regular basis, you have to put your hand up to play for England. It's a no-brainer really."

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