Injury has ruled Jamie Benn out of Scotland's opening game in the Lincoln Financial Group triangular tournament next week.

But the York Wasps full-back is keeping his fingers crossed that his damaged ankle will have recovered in time for him to mount a serious challenge to make his debut in their second match.

Only two Northern Ford Premiership players have been named in coach Shaun McRae's squad of 17 for the clash with Wales at Firhill, Glasgow, on October 22.

They are Workington youngster Andrew Lambert who will be on the bench and Dewsbury's Nathan Graham at full-back.

Hull Sharks target Benn, who revealed there were now several clubs chasing him including some from Super League, admitted he was a "bit sick" to miss out on his Scotland debut.

But he had known for some time that the he would not be fit to play as the ankle, which he hurt in the East v West Pennines clash last month, was not responding treatment.

However, he said it was now improving daily and was confident that he would be available to face Ireland.

One player with York connections who will play against Wales is former Heworth ace Scott Rhodes, now starring with Leeds Rhinos, who has been named at scrum-half.

McRae has been unable to call on some of his more high-profile players - notably Jason Flowers of Castleford, who is unavailable for next Friday's game because he is getting married.

Scotland will be captained by Huddersfield hooker Danny Russell while McRae includes two members from his club side Gateshead, centre David Maiden and prop Wayne McDonald.

Team: N Graham (Dewsbury), D Arnold (Huddersfield), A Craig (Halifax), D Maiden (Gateshead), J Roach (Warrington), M Crowther (Sheffield), S Rhodes (Leeds), W McDonald (Gateshead), D Russell (Huddersfield), S Cramm (London), P Anderson (Sheffield), D Shaw (Sheffield), M Wainright (Warrington). Substitutes: J Berry (Huddersfield), A Lambert (Workington), J Duffy (Warrington), N Lowe (Featherstone).

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.