McCormack hopes a strong showing can boost the domestic game

Scotland manager Steve McCormack says he is confident his side can progress beyond the group stages of the World Cup in Australia.

But he warned they face a tough group and that the Scots have a very poor record on the world stage.

"We've got a challenging group with France and Fiji," he told BBC Scotland.

"I don't think Scotland have ever won a World Cup match in rugby league but we are pretty confident we can get through our pool."

There is only one Scotland-based played in McCormack's 24-man squad for the competition - Paddy Coupar of the Edinburgh Eagles.

And the national coach admits that is an indicator that the game is still in its infancy in Scotland.

"It is very difficult really when we are competing with football and rugby union and other sports in Scotland, but there is a lot of work being done in the development of the domestic game," he said.

"We're just hoping that a decent World Cup will put the sport on the map and kick it on to bigger and better things up in Scotland."