Ian Henderson joins brothers Andrew and Kevin in the initial squad

Three brothers have made Steve McCormack's initial Scotland squad of 40 players for the World Cup in Australia, which begins in October.

Henderson brothers Andrew, of Castleford, Wakefield centre Kevin and New Zealand Warriors hooker Ian are hoping to make the final squad of 24.

Scotland play France in Canberra on 26 October and Fiji in the Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast, on 5 November.

Coach McCormack said: "There will be some tough decisions for the final 24."

The squad includes five other players based in Australia's National Rugby League - Keith Galloway (Wests Tigers), Michael Robertson (Manly Sea Eagles), Scott Logan (Canberra) and Chris and Nathan Armit (Canterbury Bulldogs) - and another 10 Super League players.

"Final selection is in the players' own hands by the form they show," said McCormack.

"We have a good mix of established players plus a few new names who have expressed the desire to join up with us.

"At this stage, the players need to keep playing well, keep fit and healthy."

The Scots are hoping that the ex-pat communities in their World Cup venues will turn out to support the team.

Scotland World Cup squad

Chris Armit, Nathan Armit (both Canterbury Bulldogs), Kier Bell (London Skolars), Jamie Benn (unattached), Danny Brough (Wakefield, capt), Mark Calderwood (Wigan), Paddy Coupar (Edinburgh Eagles), John Duffy (Widnes), Ben Fisher (Hull KR), Keith Galloway (Wests Tigers), Daniel Heckenberg (Harlequins), Andrew Henderson (Castleford), Kevin Henderson (Wakefield)

Ian Henderson (NZ Warriors), Graeme Horne (Hull), Jack Howieson (Sheffield), Paul Jackson (Huddersfield), Wade Liddell (Brisbane Easts), Scott Logan (Canberra Raiders), Rhys Lovegrove (Hull KR), Neil Lowe (Keighley), David Lynn (Edinburgh Eagles), Iain Marsh (Workington), David McConnell (Leigh), Duncan McGilvary (Wakefield), Dene Miller (London Skolars)

Spencer Miller (Whitehaven), Iain Morrison(Widnes), Gareth Morton (Widnes), Mick Nanyn (Oldham), Lee Paterson (Widnes), Michael Robertson (Manly), Iain Sinfield (Oldham), Jamie Smith (Fife Lions), Jonathan Steel (Hull KR), Alex Szostack (Sheffield), Andy Todd (Edinburgh Eagles), Matthew Tunstall (Workington), Tom Wild (Rochdale), Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield).