Danny Brough picked up where he had left off in Workington a year ago as he inspired a scratch Scotland side to an eight-try victory in their Rugby League European Championship opener against Wales last night.

On a night of swirling rain at Derwent Park the little Huddersfield Giant produced another play-making masterclass to steer his youthful side, which included five debutants in Oscar Thomas, Nathan Massey, Corby Kilday, Sonny Esslemont and Louis Senter, through what was expected to be a much tougher

opening encounter.

Yet it was typical that while he paid tribute to his captain, Steve McCormack, Scotland's head coach, was not prepared to elevate his contribution above that of any of his team-mates.

He also pointed out Callum Phillips and young Senter for praise. Phillips made up for the disappointment of being the only member of last year's World Cup squad not to play when - like brother Brett - he scored a try on the ground where he plays his club rugby.

"Broughie was first class again, as he has been all week, but there's no difference between Callum and Danny in our squad. They've all got the same values and Callum was just as good as Danny was," he said.

"In the second half we played like we wanted to play. We've got a lot to do, but we got the cobwebs off

first half and we just felt if we could bide our time and get some field position we would get some points and that was the case."

Perhaps because of the choice of venue, an odd note was struck ahead of a match between these two sides when the first of the anthems sung was "Jerusalem" - the song we became used to hearing when English competitors won gold at the Commonwealth Games.

However after the Welsh anthem, the singer was effectively sacked as Brough led his men in an a capella rendition of "Flower of Scotland", clearly designed to demonstrate that for all that they have been drawn from near and far, the commitment to the cause is genuine.

Wales scored the first try via Rhys Williams but Brough's brilliance was demonstrated immediately after as his wobbling restart kick off forced an error deep in Welsh territory and the set move from the resultant scrum saw him take the ball two passes later and glide through for a try he converted himself.

Five minutes later a neat interchange of passes between Oscar Thomas and Alex Hurst resulted in the full-back going over wide on the left for an unconverted score.

Further neat handling produced their third try when they won superiority on the right allowing Corbyn Kilday to take advantage of the holes in the Welsh defence, Brough converting superbly from close to the touchline.

The Scots then conceded a string of penalties and the sustained resultant pressure saw Christiaan Roets make them pay just before the break. The gap was then reduced to two points within four minutes of the restart when Joe Wardle was unable to field a grubber kick on his own line delivered by Connor Farrar who fell on the loose ball to score.

But the Scots responded immediately, Brough firing a short pass to Walker at close range, allowing him to force his way over under the posts.

Two minutes later Scotland's captain unleashed a 'bomb' , causing mayhem in the Welsh defence and allowed David Scott to seize upon the bouncing ball wide on the right as it crossed the line. When Callum Phillips battled to the line for his side's third try in five minutes they were in complete control, 32-14 ahead.

Their resolve was tested by a lengthy spell of defence, but the result was wrapped up when they eventually worked their way down-field and immediately stretched the Welsh defence on the right to allow Thomas to put Scott in for his second.

Brough's sleight of hand then created his side's eight try for Brett Phillips with a delightful dummy and such was his side's dominance that the captain was able to leave the field six minutes early to well deserved applause.