YORK City Knights stand-off Scott Rhodes has confirmed he has pulled out of the Scotland squad for rugby league's new European Nations Cup.

The inaugural four-week tournament kicks off on Sunday with Scotland meeting Ireland in Glasgow and Wales taking on Russia at Aberavon, but, as expected, Rhodes will not be taking part in the competition due to the recurrence of a knee injury suffered in the last game of the Knights' season.

However, the York-born 23-year-old, who qualifies for Scotland as his father is originally from Aberdeen, is keen to don the blue jersey he last wore at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

"I've had to pull out because of this injury," he said. "It's not 100 per cent and there's not much chance of playing.

"But when I spoke to the coach, Billy McGinty, about it, he said there would still be future chances for me with the squad so hopefully I'll play well next season and get called up again next year."

The European Nations Cup is the first senior competition organised by the Rugby Football League under the umbrella of the new Rugby League European Fede-ration, and is intended to provide a tier of international competition below Great Britain level.

The tournament will see England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales continue the development of their own identities, while providing Russia and France with good international competition.

RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis said: "The staging of the European Nations Cup is an historic moment for rugby league. This is the first year in a plan to develop the sport at this level and the intention is to invest in the international calendar each year and see the matches grow in scope and stature."

Ireland, France and Scotland are in one group, with England 'A', Wales and Russia in the other, with the winners of each group meeting in the final at Wilderspool, Warrington, on November 16.

European Nations Cup fixtures

Sunday, Oct 26: Wales v Russia (at Aberavon RFC, KO 3pm); Scotland v Ireland (at Old Anniesland, Glasgow, KO 2pm); Saturday, Nov 1: Ireland v France (at Dalymount Park, Bohemians FC, Dublin KO tbc); Sunday, Nov 2: England 'A' v Russia (at Odsal, Bradford, KO 3pm); Saturday Nov 8/ Sunday Nov 9: France v Scotland (at Parc de L'Amitie, Narbonne, KO 3pm); Sunday Nov 9: England 'A' v Wales (at Headingley, Leeds, KO 3pm); Sunday Nov 16: Cup Final (at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, KO 2pm).

Updated: 11:38 Wednesday, October 22, 2003