Brough must wait for England chance

Scotland captain Danny Brough has been warned he must wait until 2010 if he wants to switch his allegiance to England.

The 26-year-old Wakefield scrum-half told Scotland coach Steve McCormack he will not be available for the second-tier European Nations Cup in October and November and instead Brough - who was born in England but qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather - wants to push for a place the England team, who meet Australia, New Zealand and France in the Four Nations Series.

"I'll be putting myself forward to play for England," Brough told the Rugby League World magazine. "If you want to be the best you have to play against the best and that's Australia and New Zealand."

He added: "If I stick with Scotland, I won't get the chance to play against these nations. I've spoken to Steve about it and he understands."

Brough's decision will be a major blow to the Rugby Football League, who disbanded the Great Britain team before the World Cup in order to help Wales, Ireland and Scotland develop their own identities.

However, an RFL spokesman said that, under Rugby League International Federation rules, players have to wait two years since their last appearance if they wish to play for another country for which they are eligible.

The rules were introduced on the eve of the 2008 World Cup to prevent players switching allegiance at will.

The RFL spokesman pointed out that teams in the 2010 European Nations Cup would be playing for a place in the 2011 Four Nations Series, therefore giving players from Scotland, Ireland and Wales the chance to face the might of Australia and New Zealand.