We have just as much pride in our jersey, says Scotland boss

The Bravehearts begin their campaign as rank outsiders against Australia in Hull tonight.

Most of their players are Englishmen or Australians who qualify through ancestry, including Warriors winger Lewis Tierney.

But Wiganer McCormack vowed: “There’ll be no team as passionate and have as much pride in the jersey, there’s no doubt about that.

“And I can guarantee that no team will be working harder than us in preparation.”

Tierney, who played a role in Wigan’s Grand Final charge, qualifies through a grandparent.

“I’d be so proud to wear the Scotland jersey,” he said. “It’s where part of my family is from, and everyone has their own relatives who they are representing. It is a big thing.”

McCormack admitted some part-time players are taking pay-cuts to be involved - which illustrates their commitment to the cause.

“Money doesn’t come into it with us, it never has done,” said the Warriors youth coach. “Players have lost money in the past (in order to play), and it’s the same again.”

McCormack took his squad to Edinburgh earlier this month and hopes their progress in the competition is followed north of the border.

“It’s really important that this tournament we get some really good coverage and a legacy and a bit of a pathway is left, better than what was left in 2013 (after the World Cup,” he said.

None of the teams outside of the top-three have yet to win a game under the Four Nations model, and Scotland are widely-expected to lose their encounters.

But Tierney added: “We don’t want to be a team who get battered by three teams and get on with it. We want to cause some trouble, get Scotland behind us and play some good rugby, then we’ll be happy.”

Other Wiganers involved with Scotland are players Matty Russell (Warrington) and Sam Brooks (Widnes), conditioning coach Mick Turner and coaches John and Jay Duffy.