The squad, also includes seven players from Super League, headed by captain Danny Brough, who has played a record 23 appearances for Scotland since making his Test debut in McCormack’s first game as coach in 2004.
“Danny played in my first game and has been virtually ever-present since,” McCormack said of the 2013 Super League player of the year.
“I’ve said to the players [that] selection will be based on performances,” McCormack said.
“It would be very easy for Danny, a top professional, former Man of Steel, to have four weeks off at the end of every season and go on holiday but people like Danny, and those other players, make a firm commitment to us every year.
“It’s tough on their families and its tough on their bodies but that’s the beauty of what we’ve got at Scotland; a really strong bunch, totally committed to the cause.”
Other Scotland regulars included are Brough’s Huddersfield team-mate Dale Ferguson, Hull KR duo Danny Addy and Ben Kavanagh, and Wakefield prop Adam Walker, all of whom have 14 caps – one less than London Broncos’ centre Ben Hellewell.
“They’ve not only been reliable but have always played well in big tournaments against the best in the world,” says McCormack. “Last year they were sensational. They won’t be intimidated about playing the likes of Tonga and New Zealand as we’ve played them before and matched them.”
Aitken scored the try that enabled the Bravehearts to snatch a 16-all draw with the Kiwis in last year’s Four Nations, while Coote and Linnett also played in arguably Scotland’s greatest rugby league performance.
Wallace, who played State of Origin for NSW in 2008 and 2009, was a member of the Scotland team which made it to the quarter-finals of the 2013 World Cup, along with Wardle, who joined the Knights this season from Huddersfield.
Both missed last year’s Four Nations due to injury, while Stein will be pushing for his first senior representative jersey after being one of seven uncapped players in the squad.
A Thirroul Butchers junior, Stein was chosen to attend the NSW Under 20s pathway camp in December, 2015 after joining Cronulla from St George Illawarra.
Former Sharks and Gold Coast prop Luke Douglas is among the Super League players, who include ex-Titans winger Matt Russell, Brough, Ferguson, Walker, Leigh hooker Liam Hood and Wigan fullback Lewis Tierney – the son of dual England international Jason Robinson.
Leeds prop Keith Galloway would have been a certain selection but has been ruled out for the season with a ruptured Achilles.
Toronto Wolfpack five-eighth Ryan Brierly was also named and is expected to continue his Test partnership in the halves with Brough at the World Cup, with Coote at fullback and Wallace at hooker.
McCormack has also named two Australian-based players who represented Scotland at the recent Universities World Cups in Sydney – Scott Plumridge (Mittagong) and Liam Faughlan (Maitland).
“I know a lot about these players, know I can trust them and just hope they can perform over these next seven or eight weeks and get on that plane.
“We’ve had our first team meeting and there is a fall-out programme that players will join as their club season ends, once they have gone on holiday for a break to recharge ahead of the World Cup.
“We might add two or three more to this group as we get nearer the tournament: this not a definitive list so there is time for other players to force their way in.”
Scotland Squad
Danny Addy - Hull KR (14 Tests)
Euan Aitken - St George Illawarra Dragons (3)
Ryan Brierley - Toronto Wolfpack (2)
Sam Brooks - Featherstone Rovers (3)
Danny Brough - Huddersfield Giants (23)
Brett Carter – Barrow Raiders (6)
Lewis Clarke – Moore Park Broncos (2)
Lachlan Coote - North Queensland Cowboys (3)
Davie Dixon - Keighley Cougars (0)
Luke Douglas - St Helens (8)
Liam Faughlan – Maitland Pickers (0)
Dale Ferguson - Huddersfield Giants (14)
Campbell Graham - South Sydney Rabbitohs (0)
Ben Hellewell - London Broncos (15)
Liam Hood - Leigh Centurions (7)
Ben Kavanagh - Hull KR (14)
Kane Linnett - North Queensland Cowboys (7)
Frankie Mariano - Featherstone Rovers (2)
Joe McClean - Gloucestershire All Golds (4)
Ryan Maneely - Rochdale Hornets (0)
Kieran Moran – Hull KR (0)
Will Oakes - Hull KR (0)
Brett Phillips - Workington Town (9)
Calum Phillips - Workington Town (5)
Scott Plumridge - Mittagong Lions (2)
Sheldon Powe-Hobbs - Northern Pride (1)
Matthew Russell - Warrington Wolves (8)
David Scott - Batley Bulldogs (13)
Lachlan Stein - Penrith Panthers (0)
Oscar Thomas - London Broncos (6)
Lewis Tierney - Wigan Warriors (3)
Adam Walker - Wakefield Trinity (14)
Alex Walker - London Broncos (3)
Jonathan Walker - Darlington Point Roosters (6)
Peter Wallace - Penrith Panthers (4)
Joe Wardle - Newcastle Knights (6)
Brandan Wilkinson - Bradford Bulls (0)
By Brad Walter | @BradWalterSport
Chief Correspondent, RLWC2017