BRANDAN Wilkinson is due to make his debut for Scotland in their World Cup warm-up match against the New South Wales Country Under-23s at Ballina tomorrow.

The youngster is named alongside Bulls team-mate Oscar Thomas in the starting line-up as coach Steve McCormack rests a host of his senior players, including skipper Danny Brough, ahead of the opening game against Tonga in Cairns on Sunday week, while half-back Callum Phillips is recovering from a training-ground collision and second rower Dale Ferguson is nursing a sore hamstring.

Hull KR teenage winger Will Oakes, who was a late call-up for the injured Ryan Brierley, and Toulouse brothers Kane and Andrew Bentley, who played for France in the last World Cup, are among eight uncapped players in McCormack's 24-man squad named in the side for the friendly.

McCormack will also give run-outs to three members of the Scotland Students side who are playing their club rugby in New South Wales for the clash with the Country XIII that battled bravely before going down to Samoa a week ago.

"They look a decent side and they will give us a good test," McCormack said.

"It will be a good chance for some of these younger players to stake a claim for a spot against Tonga the week after."

McCormack will already have a good idea of his team to face a star-studded Tonga, who are expected to mount a strong challenge for a semi-final spot after their high-profile recruitment headed by New Zealand loose forward Jason Taumalolo and Australia prop Andrew Fifita.

"It's a World Cup so every team is going to be world class," he said. "Obviously we do our homework and look at individuals but our emphasis has always been on making sure we play to the best of our ability.

"All four teams in our group are world-class teams. We play New Zealand in Christchurch which for us is a fantastic opportunity. For me, playing New Zealand in New Zealand is still one of the biggest tests in rugby league."

The game in Christchurch on November 4 will give New Zealand the chance to atone for their shock 18-18 draw against the Bravehearts in the Four Nations Series in Workington last November and McCormack is expecting a different Kiwis side.

"The game in Workington was a big day for us," he said. "We deserved everything we got out of that game. We're aware that we're going to be up against a tougher and better New Zealand team in Christchurch.

"All our emphasis is on Tonga first and we'll do our prep work on New Zealand and Samoa after that."

Scotland team to play New South Wales Country Under-23s: David Scott (Batley); Lachlan Stein (Penrith), Ben Hellewell (London Broncos), Jarred Anderson (Sydney Roosters), Will Oakes (Hull KR); Oscar Thomas (Bradford), Alex Walker (London Broncos); Sam Brooks (Featherstone), Kane Bentley (Toulouse), Kieran Moran (Hull KR), Brandan Wilkinson (Bradford), Frankie Mariano (Featherstone), Andrew Bentley (Toulouse).

Substitutes: Liam Faughlin, Lewis Clarke, Luke Westman (all Scotland Students), James Bell (NZ Warriors), Johnny Walker (Darlington Point), Shane Toal (Barrow).