Leading role for Scotland can see star Brough cap fine year

Steve McCormack is in his 10th year in charge of the Bravehearts and it is nearly a decade since he gave Danny Brough – then a plumber playing part-time with York – his debut.

They are back together today, despite Brough playing for England in 2012, and ready for their latest challenge.

McCormack has remained at the head of Scottish rugby despite varying fortunes at club level, while Brough is at the peak of his powers and was recently given the Man of Steel award as Super League’s best player.

Many cannot believe England chose not to select the Huddersfield man but, with that issue put behind him, the 30-year-old is ready to resume normal service with Scotland.

“Steve gave me my first cap back in 2004 and I have to say it was unexpected at the time,” said Brough.

“I was playing with York and working – even if I wasn’t the best plumber I was doing it. But since then Steve has picked me in pretty much every squad and I just hope I can repay his faith.”

McCormack is sure he will.

‘’He is the captain of the team and he has a massive influence off the field,” he said.

“We’re not a team of superstars, but we’re a team of really good players that work very hard together. Danny is at the head of that. He works exceptionally hard.”

Good form is expected of Brough in Group C on the back of the best season of his career.

The well-travelled playmaker led Huddersfield to the top of the table with a string of thrilling performances and now plans to transfer his displays to the international stage.

“Hopefully I can cap a really good year I’ve had personally with Huddersfield,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to leading Scotland in this World Cup, we have a good coaching staff and a good bunch of lads.

“It’s taken me a while to get to this point and it’s been an up-and-down career

“But I’m playing the best rugby of my career and I’m enjoying the game again.”