Let's keep it real here and acknowledge that Scotland are going to struggle to make much of an impact in the Four Nations. Regardless of how you feel about that, it's reflected in Mal Meninga's squad for the first round of Four Nations footy with Australia ensuring that their touring squad gets a run between the pre-Four Nations fixture in Perth and this week's game against Scotland.

Scotland certainly won't be terrible, it's just that they are clearly the weakest of the four teams involved. They will be led admirably by Danny Brough who is one of the most consistent play-makers in the Super League and the Bravehearts will also enjoy the services of Lachlan Coote at fullback, Kane Linnett and Euan Aitken in the centres and Luke Douglas at prop. With blokes from the Super League and reserve grade in Australia filling out their squad, Scotland have a group who could build into a low key dangerous team come World Cup time next year.

From a Scottish perspective, that's what needs to be kept at the forefront of their minds and our minds. They will struggle to match the intensity of Australia through the middle and probably won't be able to handle Australia's attacking plays that they tend to execute to near-precision, regardless of whether it's Jonathan Thurston or James Maloney in the halves. For Scotland, this will be about facing a quality side, learning from it and keeping their development moving forward.

There are only a few spots up for grabs in a full-strength Kangaroos side and Meninga's squad to face the Bravehearts will help him gauge his options. Josh Mansour and Blake Ferguson start on either wing where they will be out to make an impression, with Valentine Holmes named on an extended bench. Mansour was missing from the game against the Kiwis and Holmes had an excellent game, so expect Mansour to come out firing with a point to prove.

Aaron Woods was also absent in Perth and he's got to feature in a full-strength Kangaroos side. This gives us an intriguing battle between David Klemmer and Shannon Boyd for a bench spot next week, we have to assume that Klemmer is ahead of Boyd in Australia's depth chart and with a starting jersey, Klemmer will be eager to ensure that he's keeping Boyd out of the side.

Jake Friend's inclusion will add some funk to the Kangaroos, especially with Michael Morgan also featuring on the bench. Morgan will likely take up his usual ball-playing lock role, allowing Meninga an opportunity to give Cameron Smith some time on the bench with Friend playing hooker.

There's also Tyson Frizell, who will start on an edge. Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett and Boyd Cordner are all ranked ahead of Frizell as edge forwards and Frizell has often been used lately through the middle, so how he performs on the edge will be interesting. Only Trent Merrin offers cover for the edge forwards on the bench, so Frizell will probably play 80 minutes and look to show off his dynamic running style.

This Kangaroos side gives us a glimpse of how the team could look in a few years time and it will also give Scotland a slither of hope that they could get an upset. Australia have many blokes who will be looking to make a good impression on coach Meninga and that could result in a few errors, opening the door for Scotland. The chances of that happening are very slim though, so just enjoy a plucky Scottish team who are building towards the World Cup, taking on a fresh Kangaroos side who have a futuristic look about them.