BULLS youngster Brandan Wilkinson is set to be handed his Scotland debut in a World Cup baptism against New Zealand.

London Broncos full-back Alex Walker and Sydney Roosters second-rower Jarred Anderson are also likely to be thrown in for the Scots' second game of the tournament.

Coach Steve McCormack is planning to make changes for Saturday's game in Christchurch following his side's disappointing 50-4 defeat by Tonga in their Group B opener in Cairns.

Already missing the injured Lachlan Coote, the Bravehearts began their campaign without David Scott after he injured his back during the warm-up match against a New South Wales Country Under-23 team.

Lewis Tierney wore the No 1 jersey against the Tongans but is set for a switch to the wing to accommodate promising 22-year-old Walker, who made his Scotland debut in the 2015 European Championship.

"I thought Lewis Tierney was one of the standout players on the field, to be fair," said McCormack.

"He was outstanding but Alex Walker has been great for London and I've been really impressed by his attitude throughout the World Cup so far and he deserves a chance.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how Alex performs on the world stage. He's an emerging talent and deserves a crack."

McCormack is also set to give debuts to 20-year-old Wilkinson and Anderson, saying: "I've named 21 and that squad might be rotated.

"People like Brandan Wilkinson and Jarred Anderson have earned the call by the way they've trained. I'm more than comfortable putting them in.

"It's a very young team but they've trained really well, they've earned the right to play in this World Cup and I've every confidence in them.

"To play New Zealand in Christchurch will be a fantastic experience for them. It's important they step up as well. Test matches in New Zealand are no place for the faint-hearted."

McCormack expects Scott to be unavailable for Scotland's final group game against Samoa, which is back in Cairns on November 11.

He said: "It's been whirlwind travel, so we've not been able to do an awful lot of training yet, but we're all enjoying Christchurch. We had a fantastic welcome by the local community.

"It's a bit cooler but it's like a good Scottish summer's morning, beautiful and sunny and not as humid as Cairns. The weather is spot on and we're looking forward to Saturday."